Iran seeks diplomacy amid new Trump administration’s evolving policies

Tehran ramps up its diplomatic outreach and explores talks with the US, Afghanistan, and Turkey.

 IRANIANS ATTEND a rally in support of Palestinians in Gaza after the news of a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, in Tehran, last Friday.   (photo credit: WEST ASIA NEWS AGENCY/REUTERS)
IRANIANS ATTEND a rally in support of Palestinians in Gaza after the news of a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, in Tehran, last Friday.
(photo credit: WEST ASIA NEWS AGENCY/REUTERS)

Iran’s government has been on a diplomatic outreach push this week as it seeks to reorient itself amid the new US administration’s policies. President Donald Trump is expected to take a tough line on Iran if Tehran continues to push proxies to attack US forces in the region.

Nevertheless, the US administration also may be open to a new deal with Iran. Tehran knows this and is seeking to shift gears.

Negotiations “among neighboring states, including Iran and Afghanistan, are necessary to pave the ground for addressing shared concerns and interests,” Iran’s official Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) quoted Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei as saying on Monday.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi visited Kabul this week in an effort to achieve a breakthrough in Iran-Afghanistan relations.

“As to Iran’s concern about its water rights to the Hirmand (Helmand) River, Baghaei mentioned that Afghanistan’s caretaker government pledged to comply with its commitments under the Afghan-Iranian Helmand River-Water Treaty of 1973 and adhere to Islamic and ethical principles in order to respect Iran’s water share,” IRNA reported.

 A member of Iranian militia forces (Basij) gestures during an anti-Israeli march in Tehran, Iran, January 10, 2025 (credit: MAJID ASGARIPOUR/WANA (WEST ASIA NEWS AGENCY) VIA REUTERS)Enlrage image
A member of Iranian militia forces (Basij) gestures during an anti-Israeli march in Tehran, Iran, January 10, 2025 (credit: MAJID ASGARIPOUR/WANA (WEST ASIA NEWS AGENCY) VIA REUTERS)

Araghchi went to Kabul after Iranian diplomat Mohammad Javad Zarif traveled to Davos to pitch Iran’s views there. Zarif downplayed Iran’s movement toward a nuclear weapon, arguing that Tehran could make other choices.

What has Iran been up to?

Iran is now making an effort to improve relations with many countries. This potentially includes the US, Turkey, Afghanistan, and the EU, as well as Tehran’s recent agreement with Russia.

This is all about the economy in Iran, as Tehran is showcasing its focus on domestic and economic ties.

Iranian Minister of Roads and Urban Development Farzaneh Sadegh traveled to Ankara on Monday as the head of a delegation, IRNA reported. She is one of the highest ranking women in the Iranian administration and is following up on previous agreements in her work in Turkey.

Meanwhile, Iran’s supreme leader expressed support for Lebanon after clashes between Lebanese and the IDF in southern Lebanon.


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In a more important development, Iranian state media has reported about interest in the Trump administration’s “openness” to diplomacy. Iran senses that the new administration has fewer “hawks” in charge, and more officials are open to discussions with Iran, IRNA reported.

Iran has followed reports in the US about how the Trump administration is at odds with former officials, such as Brian Hook and Mike Pompeo. Tehran thinks this could be the opening it needs.

This could be “an outward refusal to take radical anti-Iran figures on board, [and] US President Donald Trump could be sending signals to Iran that he may be willing to engage with Tehran diplomatically.” IRNA reported. “It is also unclear whether the moves signal a shift in tactics, strategy, or attitude. Tentative as they are, and taken together, they do represent a marked shift from Trump’s last term. The US president has reportedly put his Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff in charge of the Iran portfolio as well, which US media say suggests Trump is willing to test diplomacy with Tehran.”