Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian has nominated Abbas Araqchi, a seasoned diplomat and former chief negotiator in nuclear talks with world powers, as the country’s new foreign minister. The nomination is subject to approval by the Iranian parliament, which will review the nominated cabinet members over the next week.
North Korea’s deepening ties with Russia have raised concerns among the Biden administration. Pyongyang has supplied weapons to Russia, including 11,000 containers of munitions and 40 ballistic missiles, to support its war in Ukraine. In return, Russia has provided North Korea with food, raw materials, and weapons manufacturing parts. This alliance has boosted North Korea’s economy and increased its diplomatic standing. However, the concerns lie in its potential for emboldening North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to take greater risks, threatening South Korea, exporting weapons abroad, and disregarding calls for nuclear talks. Additionally, North Korea’s relationship with Russia could enhance the appeal of its armaments to other nations, potentially leading to increased proliferation.
