Araghchi was born in 1960 in Tehran into a traditional family. He has three sisters and three brothers, most of whom are involved in trade and commerce. His grandfather was a carpet trader, and he lost his father at the age of 17. His two older brothers hold significant positions, with one being a member of the Board of Directors of the Exporters Union, and the other a member of the Sellers Union. His nephew, Seyed Ahmad Araghchi, served as the Deputy Governor for Foreign Exchange Affairs at the Central Bank of Iran from 2017 to 2018, but was dismissed and arrested by the judiciary following fluctuations in the foreign exchange market. Araghchi is married to Bahareh Abdollahi, and they have two sons and a daughter.[5][better source needed]
He served as ambassador to Finland (1999–2003) and Japan (2007–2011).[2]
He served as a former political deputy at the foreign ministry from 2017 to 2021. He previously held office as the Deputy for Asia–Pacific and the Commonwealth Affairs[7] and Legal and International Affairs of the foreign ministry.[2] He served as Iran's chief nuclear negotiator in talks with the P5+1, in Hassan Rouhani's government.[8]
Araghchi was nominated to be President Masoud Pezeshkian foreign minister as of 11 August 2024[9] and eventually became Minister of Foreign Affairs following a vote of confidence by the Islamic Consultative Assembly on 21 August.[10]
Professional Background
Professional roles listed chronologically:
Deputy Minister for Political Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2017–2021)
Deputy Minister for Legal and International Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2013–2017)
Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (May 2013–September 2013)
Iranian Ambassador to Japan (2007–2011)
Deputy Minister for Legal and International Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2005–2007)
Dean of the Faculty of International Relations (2004–2005)
Director of the First Department of Western Europe, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2003–2004)