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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.
Iranian ambassador Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli says relations with China are “deeply rooted". Photo: China News Service via Getty Images
US, Israel war on Iran

Why Iran’s ambassador to China thinks the US can’t turn Beijing against it

Top envoy’s remarks come amid speculation Washington may induce Beijing to pressure Tehran into accepting a peace deal.

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US, Israel war on Iran

US-Iran peace optimism fuels Asian stock market gains

US, Israel war on Iran

US strikes Iranian tanker amid reports Washington and Tehran near deal

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Iran

China’s Wang Yi and Iran’s Araghchi support new regional security framework in Gulf

Separately, Iranian and Saudi foreign ministers in a phone call discuss need to continue diplomatic efforts and regional cooperation.

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Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is greeted by Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, in Beijing on Wednesday. Photo: Xinhua
China-Middle East relations

Iran’s top diplomat Abbas Araghchi to visit China days ahead of Donald Trump

Foreign Minister Araghchi will arrive on Wednesday and hold talks with Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, Beijing has announced.

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South Korea

South Korea rebuffs Trump’s ‘Project Freedom’ call after Hormuz ship fire

A UN mandate and a global coalition are required before Seoul joins Trump’s mission to reopen the strait, officials indicate.

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Diplomacy

Strait of Hormuz woes, US-Nato ‘crisis’: 7 global relations reads

From a possible Trump-Iran joint venture to Russia-China talks, here are highlights from the SCMP’s overseas correspondents in April 2026.

An Iranian Revolutionary Guard Navy speedboat approaches the cargo ship Epaminondas during what state media described as the seizure of one of two vessels accused of violations in the Strait of Hormuz on April 21. Photo: Tasnim News Agency via AP
US, Israel war on Iran

Trump says hostilities in Iran ‘terminated’ ahead of war powers deadline

Trump administration argues war in Iran has ended due to ceasefire, allowing White House to avoid the need to seek congressional approval.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Trump hails ‘very good’ Putin call as Iran talks stall and Ukraine war drags on

US president says Russian leader offered help on Iran’s enriched uranium and discussed a Victory Day ceasefire in Ukraine.

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump and Iran trade red lines as Putin enters the diplomatic crossfire

Message via Pakistan outlines terms on nuclear work and Strait of Hormuz, as Moscow signals support and Washington considers next move.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, meets Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Monday in St Petersburg. Photo: AP
China-Middle East relations

Iran’s foreign minister returns to Pakistan after Trump cancels envoys’ trip

Tehran pursues urgent regional coordination as US president orders his negotiators to stay home.

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Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, left, meets with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Islamabad, Pakistan, on Saturday. Photo: Reuters
China-Middle East relations

Iran digs in as US envoys Kushner and Witkoff head to Pakistan for more talks

Trapped in the Persian Gulf, ship crews run low on food, water – and mental health reserves.

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Pakistan

US says direct talks are on, Iran says no: confusion over Pakistan meeting

Trump sends Witkoff and Kushner; meanwhile, Iran’s foreign ministry denies US discussions even as Araghchi arrives in Islamabad.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Iran war latest: Trump’s new threat, IRGC attacks ship, fuel prices hit flights

US president’s ceasefire extension followed by threats to ‘blow up’ rest of Iran, as Tehran refuses to join peace talks while Hormuz blockade continues.

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Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said the US blockade of Iran’s ports violated the ceasefire and amounted to “an act of war”. Photo: Stringer/dpa
US, Israel war on Iran

US and Iran warn they are ready for war as clock ticks on ceasefire end

As talks remain in limbo, a key Iranian figure says the Islamic Republic is ready to ‘show new cards on the battlefield’.

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A national flag of Iran hangs from a building in Tehran that was damaged by US-Israeli attacks. Photo: Xinhua
US, Israel war on Iran

US-Iran talks in the air as high-seas ship seizure reignites Hormuz tensions

Pakistan scrambles to save talks in Islamabad following the US military’s seizure of an Iranian-flagged vessel.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Iran war escalates as Houthis threaten to sever Saudi oil exports

Targets reportedly include a Saudi pipeline to the Red Sea, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and a UAE export terminal at Fujairah, outside the Gulf.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Iran war: France and UK to lead ‘defensive’ force for Strait of Hormuz

Trump, meanwhile, says he received a Nato offer to help secure the key waterway but told the alliance to ‘STAY AWAY’.

A vessel is seen at the Strait of Hormuz, off the coast of Oman’s Musandam province, on Sunday. Photo: Reuters
US, Israel war on Iran

Turkey’s Erdogan urges Iran, US to use ceasefire to push for lasting peace

At the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Turkey, Erdogan also stressed the importance of acting with ‘prudent understanding’ to end the Iran war.

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran, US say Strait of Hormuz is fully open to commercial vessels

Move eases oil fears, but US’ Iran blockade remains amid questions over enforcement and China’s role, as Trump claims to have ended 10 wars.

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US, Israel war on Iran

China’s Wang Yi calls on Iran to ensure freedom and safe passage through strait

In phone call with Iran’s top envoy, China’s foreign minister says situation is at ‘critical stage of transition between conflict and peace’.

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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke with his Iranian counterpart in a phone call on Wednesday regarding the Iran war and access to the Strait of Hormuz. Photo: Xinhua
US, Israel war on Iran

US cites optimism over a deal even as Iran threatens to close Red Sea shipping

US Treasury to end Iran oil waivers, warning China – top buyer – that banks risk secondary sanctions as American pressure intensifies.

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Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz faces renewed uncertainty as US restrictions and Iranian warnings unsettle key shipping lanes. Photo: Getty Images
Pakistan

Pakistan seeks to shield Gulf states as US-Iran talks set to resume

A senior official involved in Islamabad’s diplomacy says it is trying to defuse the crisis ‘in any way we can’.

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US, Israel war on Iran

US-Iran talks in Islamabad stretch on as Hormuz stand-off fuels duelling claims

US sends destroyers for mine-clearing operations in the Strait of Hormuz as Iran and US hold high-stakes talks in Pakistan.

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US, Israel war on Iran

US presses Iran as talks gear up in Pakistan under fragile ceasefire

Vice-President J.D. Vance to lead negotiations in Islamabad as Tehran sets preconditions, Trump warns of military action if diplomacy fails.

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US Vice-President J.D. Vance before boarding Air Force Two on Friday en route to Pakistan for high-stakes talks with Iran. Photo: Reuters
US, Israel war on Iran

Iranian duo set to lead US ceasefire talks were once on Israeli hit list

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf will lead first direct talks since Operation Epic Fury began.

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A political billboard in the colours of Iran’s national flag, seen at Tehran’s Valiasr Square on April 8. Formal US-Iran peace talks are set to take place in Islamabad, Pakistan, this weekend. Photo: EPA
US, Israel war on Iran

The Strait of Hormuz is closed again. Could the Iran-US truce fail at any moment?

Much of what happens next may depend on ‘wild card’ Israel, observers say.

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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.

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