8 Feb 2026·Source: The Hindu

4 min

International RelationsNEWS

Iran's Foreign Minister navigates US tensions amid internal, economic struggles

Abbas Araghchi seeks diplomatic solutions amidst Iran's internal and external pressures.

Abbas Araghchi, Iran's Foreign Minister, faces the challenge of navigating tensions with the U.S. while safeguarding Iran's national security interests. This comes at a time when Iran is grappling with economic difficulties and internal unrest following a crackdown in January.

Araghchi's career highlights include serving as a key negotiator for the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), aimed at curbing Iran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. However, the U.S. unilaterally withdrew from the JCPOA under President Trump, reimposing sanctions.

Despite these challenges, Araghchi is tasked with finding a diplomatic path forward, balancing Iran's security concerns with international demands.

Key Facts

Abbas Araghchi is Iran's Foreign Minister.

He was a key negotiator for the 2015 JCPOA.

Iran faces economic difficulties and internal unrest.

The U.S. withdrew from the JCPOA in May 2018 and reimposed sanctions.

UPSC Exam Angles

GS Paper II: International Relations - Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India's interests.

Connects to India's energy security interests and relations with Iran.

Potential question types: Statement-based, analytical questions on the impact of JCPOA on regional stability.

Visual Insights

Key Locations Related to Iran's Foreign Policy

This map highlights key countries and regions involved in Iran's foreign policy, including those party to the JCPOA and areas of regional tension.

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📍Iran📍USA📍UK📍France📍Germany📍Russia📍China

More Information

Background

The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as the Iran nuclear deal, has its roots in international efforts to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Concerns about Iran's nuclear program intensified in the early 2000s, leading to diplomatic negotiations involving several world powers. These negotiations aimed to ensure that Iran's nuclear activities were exclusively for peaceful purposes. Key milestones in the JCPOA's history include the initial framework agreement reached in 2015 after years of intense diplomacy. The agreement involved Iran and the P5+1 (the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council – China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States – plus Germany) and the European Union. The JCPOA placed restrictions on Iran's nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of some economic sanctions. The legal and constitutional framework surrounding the JCPOA is complex, involving international law, UN Security Council resolutions, and the domestic laws of the participating countries. The agreement was endorsed by UN Security Council Resolution 2231. However, the JCPOA was not a treaty ratified by the U.S. Senate, which allowed the U.S. to withdraw from the agreement more easily under a subsequent administration. Internationally, the JCPOA represents a significant effort in multilateral diplomacy to address nuclear proliferation concerns. Other similar agreements include the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which aims to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and promote peaceful uses of nuclear energy. The JCPOA, however, was unique in its specific focus on Iran and its detailed verification mechanisms.

Latest Developments

Recent developments surrounding Iran and the JCPOA have been marked by continued tensions and diplomatic efforts to revive the agreement. Following the U.S. withdrawal from the JCPOA under President Trump, Iran has gradually reduced its compliance with the agreement's restrictions on its nuclear program. The current U.S. administration has expressed interest in rejoining the JCPOA, but negotiations have been complex and faced numerous obstacles. Ongoing debates involve the scope of sanctions relief for Iran and the extent to which Iran must reverse its nuclear advancements. Different stakeholders, including Iran, the U.S., and European countries, have varying perspectives on these issues. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) continues to play a crucial role in monitoring Iran's nuclear activities and verifying compliance with any future agreement. The future outlook for the JCPOA remains uncertain. While there is a desire among some parties to restore the agreement, significant challenges remain in bridging the gaps between the different positions. The outcome will likely depend on the willingness of all parties to compromise and find a mutually acceptable solution. Failure to revive the JCPOA could lead to further escalation of tensions in the region. One of the key challenges is addressing concerns about Iran's ballistic missile program and its regional activities, which are not covered by the JCPOA. Some countries argue that these issues should be addressed in any future agreement with Iran. However, Iran has resisted linking these issues to the JCPOA, maintaining that its missile program is for defensive purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who is Abbas Araghchi and why is he important in the context of Iran's foreign policy?

Abbas Araghchi is Iran's Foreign Minister. He is important because he is navigating tensions with the U.S. while trying to protect Iran's interests, especially concerning the JCPOA and Iran's economic struggles.

2. What is the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and what role did Abbas Araghchi play in it?

The JCPOA is an agreement aimed at limiting Iran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. Abbas Araghchi was a key negotiator for Iran in the 2015 JCPOA.

3. What are the key dates related to the JCPOA that are important for the UPSC exam?

The key dates to remember are 2015, when the JCPOA was agreed upon, and May 2018, when the U.S. withdrew from the JCPOA.

Exam Tip

Remember the chronological order: Agreement first, then withdrawal.

4. What internal challenges is Iran currently facing, and how might these affect Araghchi's diplomatic efforts?

Iran is facing economic difficulties and internal unrest. These challenges might make Araghchi's diplomatic efforts more difficult, as he needs to balance internal pressures with international demands.

5. How did the U.S. withdrawal from the JCPOA impact Iran, and what are the implications for regional stability?

The U.S. withdrawal led to the reimposition of sanctions on Iran, causing economic hardship. This has increased tensions in the region and complicated diplomatic efforts.

6. What are the key facts about Abbas Araghchi relevant for the UPSC Prelims exam?

For the UPSC Prelims, remember that Abbas Araghchi is Iran's Foreign Minister and was a key negotiator for the 2015 JCPOA.

7. What is the current status of diplomatic efforts to revive the JCPOA, and what role is Araghchi likely playing?

Recent developments involve continued tensions and diplomatic efforts to revive the agreement. Araghchi is likely involved in negotiations, seeking a diplomatic path forward while balancing Iran's security concerns.

8. What are the potential pros and cons of the JCPOA from Iran's perspective?

Pros include sanctions relief and potential economic benefits. Cons include limitations on Iran's nuclear program and concerns about verification measures.

9. How might the internal unrest in Iran impact its foreign policy decisions and negotiations with other countries?

Internal unrest could weaken Iran's negotiating position and make it more difficult for Araghchi to find a compromise that satisfies both domestic and international demands.

10. What are the key challenges Abbas Araghchi faces as Iran's Foreign Minister, considering the current geopolitical landscape?

Araghchi faces the challenge of navigating tensions with the U.S., dealing with economic difficulties and internal unrest, and finding a diplomatic path forward that safeguards Iran's national security interests.

Practice Questions (MCQs)

1. Consider the following statements regarding the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA): 1. The JCPOA was an agreement solely between Iran and the United States. 2. The JCPOA aimed to curb Iran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. 3. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) plays a role in monitoring Iran's compliance with the JCPOA. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A.1 and 2 only
B.2 and 3 only
C.1 and 3 only
D.1, 2 and 3

Show Answer

Answer: B

Statement 1 is INCORRECT: The JCPOA was not solely between Iran and the United States. It involved Iran and the P5+1 (China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, plus Germany) and the European Union. Statement 2 is CORRECT: The JCPOA aimed to curb Iran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief, as explicitly stated in the summary. Statement 3 is CORRECT: The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) plays a crucial role in monitoring Iran's nuclear activities and verifying compliance with the JCPOA.

2. Which of the following countries was NOT a party to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) at the time of its signing in 2015?

A.Germany
B.United Kingdom
C.Saudi Arabia
D.Russia

Show Answer

Answer: C

Germany, the United Kingdom, and Russia were all part of the P5+1 group that negotiated the JCPOA with Iran. Saudi Arabia was not a party to the agreement. The P5+1 included the five permanent members of the UN Security Council (China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States) plus Germany.

3. Assertion (A): The United States unilaterally withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) under President Trump. Reason (R): The U.S. administration at the time believed that the JCPOA was not effectively preventing Iran from pursuing nuclear weapons. In the context of the above statements, which of the following is correct?

A.Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
B.Both A and R are true, but R is NOT the correct explanation of A.
C.A is true, but R is false.
D.A is false, but R is true.

Show Answer

Answer: A

Assertion (A) is TRUE: The summary explicitly states that the U.S. unilaterally withdrew from the JCPOA under President Trump. Reason (R) is TRUE: The U.S. administration under President Trump believed that the JCPOA was not effectively preventing Iran from pursuing nuclear weapons, which was a key reason for the withdrawal. Therefore, R is the correct explanation of A.