Iran’s parliament has registered a request seeking accountability from Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi over his handling of foreign policy, including allegations that he met US officials during a visit to New York without prior approval or coordination with Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei.
The request was submitted through the Iranian parliament’s electronic system by Tehran lawmaker Amirhossein Sabeti amid growing criticism of the Foreign Ministry’s performance.
Mohammad Rashidi, a member of the parliament’s presiding board, confirmed that the request had been registered but said it had not yet been formally referred to the presiding board. The process therefore remains at an early procedural stage.
Sabeti has called for the request to be referred to the parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, where its points would be examined in the presence of the foreign minister and the lawmakers who submitted the request.
Allegations Over US Contacts and Negotiating Red Lines
One of the main issues raised by Sabeti concerns what he described as foreign-policy decisions being taken without the approval or coordination of the Supreme Leader.
The lawmaker specifically cited alleged meetings between Araghchi and US officials during his stay in New York.
The request also accuses the foreign minister of crossing Iran’s negotiating “red lines” during talks with the United States and making what the lawmakers described as political miscalculations.
Criticism has also been directed at the Foreign Ministry’s approach to managing Iran’s relations and negotiations with Washington.
However, the allegations remain claims made by the lawmakers who filed the request. They do not constitute a final parliamentary finding or established evidence of wrongdoing. The request has not yet reached the next formal stage of parliamentary consideration.
Criticism of Economic Diplomacy and Ambassadorial Appointments
The parliamentary request reportedly also raises concerns about Iran’s economic diplomacy and the process used to select some ambassadors.
Lawmakers have criticised what they describe as a lack of new initiatives in Iran’s foreign policy, while accusing the Foreign Ministry of placing excessive emphasis on dialogue with the United States.
The criticism comes amid an ongoing internal debate in Tehran over how Iran should manage its relations with Washington, the scope of diplomatic contacts and negotiations, and the authority granted to the Foreign Ministry in handling the US file.
The dispute highlights continuing tensions within Iran over the direction and limits of its diplomatic engagement with the United States.
Parliament Prepares Confidence Vote on Defence Minister Nominee
The move against Araghchi comes as Iran’s parliament prepares to consider a separate government appointment.
President Masoud Pezeshkian has nominated Mehrdad Akhlaqi Ketabchi for the post of defence minister. According to Mohammad Rashidi, parliament is scheduled to hold a confidence vote on the nominee on October 18, 2026.
Rashidi also indicated that the government still has time to complete the parliamentary procedures concerning the oil ministry, while the timeframe for the intelligence ministry is more limited.
The developments place Araghchi’s parliamentary accountability request alongside several other major government files currently before Iran’s parliament, including the appointment of a new defence minister and the completion of the government’s ministerial structure.
Aalimi Nation | International Affairs
