Iran Prez Pezeshkian considering removal of Foreign Minister Araghchi: Reports

Iran’s top leadership is reportedly facing growing internal divisions amid reports of efforts to remove Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi over his handling of negotiations with the United States.

As per local news reports, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf are dissatisfied with Araghchi’s role in ongoing diplomatic talks and are reportedly considering his removal.

The report, citing sources familiar with the matter, claimed that Pezeshkian believes Araghchi has aligned too closely with Revolutionary Guard commander Ahmad Vahidi and bypassed the elected government during sensitive negotiations.

Sources alleged that Araghchi had reportedly coordinated directly with Vahidi in recent weeks without informing the president, leading to mounting frustration within the executive leadership.

The reported tensions come amid wider disagreements within Iran’s leadership over negotiations with the United States, including whether Tehran’s nuclear programme should be included in talks aimed at securing a ceasefire and easing regional tensions.

Differences between Pezeshkian and Vahidi had surfaced earlier as well, with reports in March pointing to disputes over the management of the war situation and its economic and social impact.

According to those reports, Vahidi had argued that the IRGC should directly oversee key administrative positions during the ongoing crisis.

Political divisions have also emerged within Parliament. A section of hardline lawmakers aligned with politician Saeed Jalili reportedly declined to support a parliamentary statement backing Iran’s negotiating team, despite broad support from other members.

The report further claimed that Ghalibaf resigned from the negotiating team after disagreements over including nuclear energy discussions in the talks.

Following his reported exit, Araghchi is said to have attempted to assume a leading role in the negotiations and later travelled to Islamabad to present Tehran’s proposal to Pakistani officials.