Iran appoints new UN ambassador amid tensions with US

Majid Takht-Ravanchi has been designated as Iran’s new ambassador and permanent representative to the United Nations, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi announced on Tuesday.

According to Qassemi, the designation came at the recommendation of Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and upon the approval of President Hassan Rouhani.

“Currently, Takht- Ravanchi is serving as deputy chief of staff of the Iranian president for political affairs,” said Qassemi.

“During his years of service at the Foreign Ministry, he has served in capacities such as Iran’s ambassador and deputy permanent representative to the UN, Iran’s ambassador to Bern, deputy foreign minister for European and American affairs, and special assistant to the foreign minister,” said the spokesman.

Takht-Ravanchi was also a senior member of Iran’s negotiating team during sensitive and important nuclear talks, which finally led to the conclusion of the Iran nuclear deal known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

The pact curbed Iran’s nuclear programme in exchange for relief from international sanctions. However, U.S. President Donald Trump last year pulled the United States out of the deal, which was concluded before he took office, saying it favoured Iran.

Other co-signatories are still trying to salvage the deal and shield Iran from U.S. sanctions. President Hassan Rouhani, who could be weakened by damage to Iran’s economy if the deal falls apart, warned other signatories on Tuesday to honour their pledges before Tehran’s patience runs out.

On Monday, Trump designated Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps a foreign terrorist organization. Iran called the move “vicious” and vowed to retaliate.