Iran politician files impeachment motion against Araghchi over US contacts

Amirhossein Sabeti, an Iranian politician, has submitted an impeachment motion against Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi following contacts with US officials during the recent UN General Assembly in New York. Sabeti claims that Araghchi's interactions were unauthorized, citing the constitution and parliament's internal regulations.

The motion was registered in the parliament's electronic system, and Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has been asked to refer it to Iran's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission. The allegations center around Araghchi's meeting with American officials, which Sabeti argues was conducted without Supreme Leader Khamenei's approval.

The controversy stems from whether Araghchi was authorized to have direct conversations with US officials or if he was only permitted to communicate Tehran's conditions through intermediaries. Supreme National Security Council chief Mohsen Rezaei stated that Iran's seven conditions should be relayed to "mediators," suggesting that Araghchi did not have the authority to engage in direct contacts.

However, state television claimed that the meeting was prompted by repeated US requests, and Araghchi accepted it to relay Tehran's conditions. Inside parliament, Ebrahim Rezaei, a member of the National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, demanded further clarification on the authorisation and policy behind the contact. Committee member Mojtaba Zarei argued that Araghchi had received the requisite authorization from Iran's governing structures and was merely implementing their decisions.

As of Tuesday, the impeachment request had been entered into parliament's system but remained unaddressed by the presiding board.