Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced that the new Iranian government plans to "manage tensions" with the United States to alleviate the impact of severe sanctions. This statement was made during a recent interview broadcast on state television.

Since the 1980 Islamic Revolution, which ended the rule of the Western-supported Shah Mohammed Reza, Iran and the U.S. have lacked diplomatic relations. A significant 2015 agreement aimed to ease sanctions on Iran in exchange for restrictions on its nuclear activities. However, the deal fell apart after the U.S. withdrew from it in 2018, leading to renewed tensions.

Araghchi, a key figure in negotiating the 2015 deal, emphasized the need for Iran’s foreign policy to minimize the adverse effects of ongoing hostility and its impact on the nation. He outlined that Iran’s foreign policy will focus on strengthening relations with neighboring countries, African nations, China, and Russia.

The foreign minister also criticized European countries for their “hostile policies” towards Iran and stated that Europe would only be considered a priority if it changes its stance.

During the interview, Araghchi reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to supporting the “axis of resistance,” a coalition of Iran-aligned groups in the Middle East opposed to Israel.

Araghchi’s appointment as foreign minister follows his approval by parliament, which endorsed the new cabinet presented by reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian. Pezeshkian has promoted a more open approach for Iran but has faced criticism from some reformists for not including enough women in the cabinet. Recently, Shina Ansari was appointed as vice president for the environment, marking her as the third woman to hold this position since the 1979 revolution.

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