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Abbas Araghchi

Abbas Araghchi
Abbas Araghchi is a highly experienced Iranian career diplomat, currently serving as the Foreign Minister of Iran. He has held significant roles including Ambassador to Finland (1999-2003) and Japan (2008-2011), plus various Deputy Foreign Minister positions, notably for Legal and International Affairs (2005-2008, 2013-2018) and Political Affairs (2018-2021). Araghchi was a pivotal figure in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) nuclear negotiations, serving as Iran’s chief negotiator. His expertise lies in international relations and shaping Iran’s foreign policy.
Smoke rising from the Thai bulk carrier Mayuree Naree near the Strait of Hormuz after an attack on March 11, 2026. Photo: TNS
Thailand

Thailand confirms deaths of 3 cargo ship crew in Gulf attack

The Thai-flagged ship was struck on March 11 while travelling through the Gulf waterway.

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump acknowledges China help in Iran ceasefire deal

US, Israel war on Iran

No quick fix for Asian airlines even if Iran reopens Hormuz: IATA chief

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US, Israel war on Iran

Trump says China helped get Iran to the negotiating table for ceasefire deal

Washington receives ‘10-point proposal from Iran’ with US president claiming it could serve as ‘a workable basis on which to negotiate’.

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US President Donald Trump speaks to reporters as he warns of potential escalation ahead of a deadline for Iran to accept a peace deal. Photo: AP
Japan

Japan confirms release of second citizen held in Iran

The person, believed to be the NHK’s Tehran bureau chief, is one of two Japanese nationals who had been detained in Iran.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Pakistan plan a ‘critical opportunity’ for US-Iran talks as Trump deadline looms

Islamabad has put forward proposals for a ceasefire as the US president threatens ‘hell’ for Iran if the Strait of Hormuz does not reopen.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Iran attacks Kuwait, Israel after Trump set deadline for deal

Kuwait and Israel say their air defences are responding to the latest attacks from Iran.

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Smoke rises at Kuwait’s international airport after a reported Iranian drone strike on Wednesday. Photo: AFP
US, Israel war on Iran

Trump hails destruction of Iran’s tallest bridge, warns of ‘much more to follow’

US president renews threats that Iran accept an immediate deal ‘before there is nothing left’.

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Asean

How Asean’s neutral stance in Iran war protects its energy security

Granting Southeast Asian vessels safe passage through the strait allows Iran to come across as a diplomatic good guy, analysts say.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Controlled escalation? Trump hails ‘victories’ in Iran but vows more strikes

US president tells anxious Americans that the conflict’s core objectives are ‘nearing completion’ but fails to lay out a clear timeline to end the war.

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President Donald Trump speaks about the Iran war from the Cross Hall of the White House on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Washington. Photo: AP
US, Israel war on Iran

Trump claims Iran wants ceasefire, Tehran calls remarks ‘false and baseless’

The US president has said he could walk away from the war in two to three weeks.

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President Donald Trump speaks to reporters after stepping off Air Force One on Friday at Miami International Airport. Trump has been under growing pressure to end the war as oil prices have skyrocketed. Photo: AP
Pakistan

What Pakistan gains by playing peacemaker in Iran war

If Islamabad can successfully carry off the talks, it stands a chance of bringing in much-needed investments and weapon sales, analysts say.

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US-Iran tensions

Why Trump needs a short-term win in Iran before he visits Xi in China

A surge in US service members in the Middle East suggests the makings of a protracted and low-intensity conflict, analysts say.

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US, Israel war on Iran

US special envoy Witkoff predicts Iran talks as war enters second month

Steve Witkoff says he is ‘hopeful’ that there will be meetings ‘this week’, even as the conflict shows no sign of ending.

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People search for their belongings in a building damaged by a strike in Tel Aviv on Saturday. Israeli army reported missiles fired by Iran at Israel on Friday evening. Photo: AFP
US, Israel war on Iran

Iran strike wounds US troops and damages planes at Saudi airbase

Israel, meanwhile, hit more of Iran’s nuclear sites, prompting Tehran to vow retaliation.

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A missile launched from Iran is seen on March 1. Photo: AFP
US, Israel war on Iran

UN tells US to swiftly finish probe into ‘visceral’ Iran school bombing

In a video address to the UNHRC, Iran’s Foreign Minister Araghchi called the bombing a ‘calculated’ assault by the US.

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US, Israel war on Iran

China calls for US-Iran talks as war upends Gulf states’ global ties

Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi advocated peace talks in a call with his Iranian counterpart, while Gulf states rethink their international relations.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Iran targets Israel and Gulf states after denying Trump claim of talks

There’s no sign of reduced fighting after the US president claimed there was dialogue in the Iran war.

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A man looks out of the window of a damaged building in Tel Aviv following Iranian missile barrages targeting central Israel. Photo: Reuters
US, Israel war on Iran

With a host of top figures killed in war, who is now running Iran?

Here is a guide to who now wields power and influence in a depleted but resilient hierarchy.

US, Israel war on Iran

Not like Venezuela: why Iran is likely to survive US-Israeli strikes

Islamic Republic’s government is expected to prove resilient despite attacks that have targeted many of its top leaders.

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Japan

Japanese national back home after Iran detention

While the person, detained last year, is now free, another Japanese national - said to be a journalist - has been in custody since January.

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A visitor takes photos of Tokyo’s skyline. File photo: AP
India

Why India faces dilemma over Iran war while seeking ‘diplomatic flexibility’

India has to carefully navigate the fallout from the war, given its huge stakes in the Middle East, analysts say.

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Iranians stand next to damaged residential buildings in southern Tehran on March 15 amid ongoing US-Israeli attacks against Iran. Photo: EPA
Japan

Iran ready to help Japan ships pass through Strait of Hormuz, Araghchi says

Calling on the world to oppose the attacks against Iran, the foreign minister notes Japan’s ‘balanced and fair’ position.

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran’s parliament speaker emerges as key figure in war after assassinations

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf helps fill the power vacuum left by the killing of Iran’s leaders.

US, Israel war on Iran

Can China broker peace for Iran again? 2023 was different, analysts say

Tehran has signalled a willingness for Beijing to act as a mediator in its escalating war against US and Israel.

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Mourners hold posters of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s late supreme leader, as they take part in a funeral procession for other war dead, in Tehran on Wednesday. Photo: EPA
South Korea

South Korea risks US rift over Iran’s Hormuz Strait squeeze

Any deal with Iran could undermine South Korea’s alliance with the US and their US$350 billion trade deal.

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South Koreans protest against US President Donald Trump’s request to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz in front of the US embassy in Seoul on Monday. Photo: TNS
China-Middle East relations

Can China stay friendly with Gulf states and Iran as fighting escalates?

Iranian strikes on neighbouring states in response to US and Israeli attacks highlight how difficult Beijing’s balancing act has become.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Iran to turn bombed girls’ school into museum commemorating US ‘crimes’

At least 168 pupils, 26 teachers and four parents were killed in the attack in the southern city of Minab on February 28.

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