Iran parliament approves new foreign minister

Tehran: Iran's parliament approved the appointment of Hossein Amirabdollahian as foreign minister in newly elected President Ebrahimi Raisi's Cabinet Wednesday.

Amirabdollahian replaces outgoing Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, who has years of experience in the US and dealing with American officials.

Zarif wrote on Twitter: "Wishing him, the ministry and its officials, and the new administration, aIran's parliament approved the appointment of Hossein Amirabdollahian as foreign minister in newly elected President Ebrahimi Raisi's Cabinet Wednesday.

Amirabdollahian replaces outgoing Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, who has years of experience in the US and dealing with American officials.

Zarif wrote on Twitter: "Wishing him, the ministry and its officials, and the new administration, all success in international relations" ll success in international relations" .

Zarif had negotiated the Iran nuclear deal, worked as Iran's ambassador to the UN and was educated in the US. By contrast, Amirabdollahian is on the EU sanctions list.

Amirabdollahian was also deputy foreign minister for Arab and African Affairs under former  President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.