Iran MP files impeachment motion against FM Araghchi over US contacts

Iranian MP Amirhossein Sabeti has filed an impeachment motion against Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi over his contact with US officials during last month’s UN General Assembly in New York, alleging he acted without authorisation.

Sabeti said he had registered the motion in parliament’s electronic system and asked Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf to refer it to Iran’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission. The motion text, published by state media, says Araghchi’s meeting with American officials was among actions carried out “without permission from the leader”.

Mohammad Rashidi of parliament’s Presiding Board confirmed on 6 October that the motion had been entered into the system but had not yet been referred to the Presiding Board for further action.

The dispute centres on Araghchi’s 22 September meeting with US envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner on the UNGA sidelines — a three-hour session held through Qatari mediation. Hardline lawmakers allege he had no authorisation from senior policy-making bodies; Tasnim reported the contact occurred without co-ordination or approval from bodies including the Supreme National Security Council.

State television countered that the meeting followed repeated US requests and that Araghchi accepted to convey Tehran’s conditions. Inside the commission, opinion is split: Ebrahim Rezaei demanded to know under what authorisation the contact took place, while Mojtaba Zarei said Araghchi had the necessary authorisation and was implementing the governing structures’ decisions.

The motion is a first procedural step: it must work through parliament before lawmakers can consider summoning Araghchi or voting on his continued tenure.