Iran appoints Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baqaei as spox of team negotiating peace talks with US
Tehran, May 22
Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf on Friday appointed the spokesperson in Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Esmaeil Baqaei, as the official spokesperson of the Iranian negotiating team for peace talks with the US aimed at achieving a complete solution to the crisis in West Asia.
As per state media Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), Ghalibaf, who heads the negotiating team for the peace efforts, issued a decree naming Baqaei as the team's official spokesperson.
The decree described Baqaei as "one of the revolutionary forces and an expert in international law", highlighting his experience in diplomacy and his current role as spokesperson of Iran's Foreign Ministry.
It further stated that Baqaei is expected to play a key role in "clarifying and explaining the positions of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the world" and addressing public queries regarding the negotiations.
"I hereby appoint Your Excellency, who is one of the revolutionary forces and an expert in international law, has appropriate experience in the field of diplomacy, and is also responsible for the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as the spokesperson for the Minab 168 negotiating delegation," the decree read as quoted by IRIB.
"I hope that with the care and responsibility that I have come to expect from you, you will be successful in clarifying the positions of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the world and answering the questions of the noble and brave people of Iran in this battleground," it added.
Iran has named its negotiation team "Minab 168", in memory of the 168 people killed, including over 120 children, in alleged US strikes over a primary school in the Minab region of Iran.
The appointment is part of efforts to streamline communication and ensure coordinated messaging from Iran's negotiating team during ongoing diplomatic engagements.
— ANI
Reader Comments
I appreciate Iran appointing a Foreign Ministry spokesperson for these talks - it shows they're serious about structured diplomacy. But I worry about the 'revolutionary forces' language used in the decree. True negotiation needs flexibility, not rigid ideology. Hope Mr. Baqaei can balance both.
From an international law perspective, naming the team after a school bombing is powerful symbolism. The US needs to acknowledge past mistakes for any peace deal to work. Iran's making a smart PR move here.
As someone who follows West Asian politics, I think having a designated spokesperson is crucial for these high-stakes talks. Iran's messaging has often been inconsistent. Let's hope Baqaei can bring clarity and that both sides come to the table with genuine intentions. Peace in West Asia benefits the entire world, including India.
Appointing an international law expert as spokesperson is a wise choice. This signals Iran wants the talks to be legally grounded, not just political grandstanding. But I'm skeptical - the US has broken too many agreements in the region. Fingers crossed, though.
India has always maintained good relations with Iran, so I hope for a positive outcome. The 'Minab 168' naming is a reminder that civilian lives matter. Wishing the Iranian team strength in these difficult negotiations. 🇮🇳🤝🇮🇷
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