On Sunday, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his companions died in a helicopter crash in East Azerbaijan province due to bad weather conditions according to initial reports. Among the president’s counterparts, was Foreign Minister of Iran Hussain Amir Abdollahian who took over the foreign minister post with President Ebrahim Raisi’s accession in 2021. Together, they built Iran’s up-to-date foreign policy.
let’s dive into the services that Abdollahian did for his country, and how important his decisions were for Iran in the Middle East:
Saudi-Iran ties
Before becoming the foreign minister, Amir Abdollahian specialized in relations with Arab countries. Through his work, he successfully normalized the tense relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia in 2023, which had been strained for several decades.
Additionally, the two countries established bilateral trade and economic cooperation and reached an agreement on mutual understanding in matters of regional security.
SCO And BRICS
Iran became a member of the SCO in 2023 and BRICS in 2024 due to diplomatic efforts. In 2023, the head of the Iranian Foreign Ministry made important visits to Moscow and Beijing. Just a few days before his death on May 14, Abdollahian expressed Iran’s interest in partnering with India within the SCO and BRICS.
Strong Diplomatic Relations With Russia
He openly expressed support for Russia with the start of the Russian military operation in Ukraine in 2022. During negotiations with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in 2023, Abdollahian emphasized the “record figures with 20% growth” of trade turnover.
Role In UN Against Israel And US
Abdollahian regularly criticized the work of the UN Security Council – in particular, due to its failure to put pressure on Israel and promptly help the Gaza population during the current war;
He was known for offering pointed critiques of the policies of the collective West, particularly the United States and Israel. Specifically, he accused the US of openly endorsing the actions that resulted in the loss of innocent lives in the Gaza Strip.
After the Israeli airstrike on the Iranian Embassy in Damascus, Abdollahian promised “a proportionate response”. A week after the strike, he personally flew to Damascus to open a new consulate in Syria.
READ MORE: Iranian President Raisi Dies in Helicopter Crash
The enduring legacy of Hussain Amir Abdollahian will be commemorated for centuries, showcasing his remarkable diplomatic prowess in navigating formidable challenges from the West. He is esteemed as one of Iran’s most distinguished Foreign Ministers in history.
