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Araghchi Pledges Foreign Policy Aligned with Khamenei’s Guidance

Abbas Araghchi outlines his program to the Iranian parliament before confidence vote (Tasnim)
Abbas Araghchi outlines his program to the Iranian parliament before confidence vote (Tasnim)
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Araghchi Pledges Foreign Policy Aligned with Khamenei’s Guidance

Abbas Araghchi outlines his program to the Iranian parliament before confidence vote (Tasnim)
Abbas Araghchi outlines his program to the Iranian parliament before confidence vote (Tasnim)

Veteran diplomat Abbas Araghchi defended his record as Iran’s parliament debated his nomination for foreign minister, with lawmakers divided over his role in the 2015 nuclear deal.
Some criticized his involvement in the agreement, while others praised his loyalty to the directives of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and his efforts to align diplomacy with military strategy, particularly the Revolutionary Guards’ role in regional foreign policy.
The parliament continued its review of President Masoud Pezeshkian’s cabinet nominees, focusing on candidates for the intelligence, economy, health, and foreign ministries.
In his pitch to become the country’s top diplomat, Araghchi promised a “comprehensive and effective” foreign policy to tackle regional and global challenges, insisting on an approach free from political biases.
He outlined three key goals: protecting national interests, strengthening security, and upholding the country’s dignity.
Araghchi emphasized that the regime’s positions, parliamentary laws, and the Supreme Leader’s guidance would be his main directives.
“I will serve the Supreme Leader, be accountable to parliament, and protect the nation’s interests,” Araghchi said, reaffirming his commitment to countering sanctions while staying alert to changes in the global landscape.
Additionally, Araghchi outlined his top foreign policy priorities, placing China, Russia, and emerging powers in Africa, Latin America, and East Asia at the forefront.
“These nations supported us during sanctions, and they will be central to our foreign policy,” he said.
He also emphasized the importance of “good neighborliness,” vowing to strengthen ties with neighboring countries to capitalize on political and economic opportunities.
Regarding Europe, Araghchi took a cautious stance: “If Europe changes its hostile behavior, it will become a priority.”
Regarding the US, the foreign minister hopeful stated that Iran’s approach would focus on “managing conflict” rather than resolving it.
Discussing nuclear negotiations, Araghchi highlighted his consistent commitment to the regime’s positions.

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US and South Korea Begin Military Drills Aimed at Strengthening Their Defense Against North Korea 

Stryker armored vehicles are on standby at a US base in Dongducheon, South Korea, 19 August 2024, as part of the Ulchi Freedom Shield, a 10-day South Korea-US joint annual military exercise that kicked off earlier in the day. (EPA/Yonhap) 
Stryker armored vehicles are on standby at a US base in Dongducheon, South Korea, 19 August 2024, as part of the Ulchi Freedom Shield, a 10-day South Korea-US joint annual military exercise that kicked off earlier in the day. (EPA/Yonhap) 
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US and South Korea Begin Military Drills Aimed at Strengthening Their Defense Against North Korea 

Stryker armored vehicles are on standby at a US base in Dongducheon, South Korea, 19 August 2024, as part of the Ulchi Freedom Shield, a 10-day South Korea-US joint annual military exercise that kicked off earlier in the day. (EPA/Yonhap) 
Stryker armored vehicles are on standby at a US base in Dongducheon, South Korea, 19 August 2024, as part of the Ulchi Freedom Shield, a 10-day South Korea-US joint annual military exercise that kicked off earlier in the day. (EPA/Yonhap) 

US and South Korean troops kicked off a large-scale exercise Monday aimed at strengthening their combined defense capabilities against nuclear-armed North Korea, which again accused the allies of practicing an invasion.

The annual summertime exercise comes amid heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula as the pace of both North Korea’s weapons demonstrations and the US-South Korea combined military exercises have intensified in a cycle of tit-for-tat.

The exercise began hours after North Korea’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement repeating the North's contention that such exercises are "provocative war drills for aggression." It said the North’s nuclear ambitions are thus justified, adding that it is crucial to "constantly maintain the balance of power for preventing a war by stockpiling the greatest deterrence."

The United States and South Korea described their joint drills as defensive in nature and have been expanding and upgrading their training in recent years to cope with the North’s evolving threats.

The US and South Korean militaries did not immediately react to the North Korean Foreign Ministry statement.

The Ulchi Freedom Shield drills, which continue for 11 days, through Aug. 29, include both computer-simulated war games and more than 40 kinds of field exercises, including live-fire drills. The allies said this year’s program is focused on enhancing their readiness against various North Korean threats, including missiles, GPS jamming and cyberattacks and will also reflect lessons learned from recent armed conflicts.

About 19,000 South Korean military personnel will participate in the drills, which will be held concurrently with civil defense and evacuation drills from Monday through Thursday that will include programs based on North Korean nuclear attack scenarios.

The US military has not confirmed the number of American troops participating in the drills or said whether they will involve US strategic assets. The United States in recent months has increased its regional deployment of long-range bombers, submarines and aircraft carrier strike groups to train with South Korean and Japanese forces.

The drills could trigger a belligerent response from North Korea, which has been flaunting its growing weapons program and issuing verbal threats of nuclear conflicts against Washington and Seoul.

Earlier this month, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un staged a huge ceremony in the country’s capital, Pyongyang, to mark the delivery of 250 nuclear-capable missile launchers to frontline military units and called for a ceaseless expansion of his military’s nuclear program.

The event added to concerns about Kim’s weapons program as he demonstrates an intent to deploy battlefield nuclear weapons along the North’s border with South Korea and claims that his military could react with preemptive nuclear strikes if it perceives the leadership as under threat.

Analysts say Kim may seek to dial up pressure in a US election year as he advances his long-term goals of forcing Washington to accept the idea of the North as a nuclear power and negotiate economic and security concessions from a position of strength.

During last year’s Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises, North Korea conducted ballistic missile tests that it described as simulating "scorched earth" nuclear strikes on South Korean targets.

The North in recent weeks has also flown thousands of balloons carrying trash toward the South in a psychological warfare campaign that has further deteriorated relations between the war-divided rivals.