WANA (Nov 12) – A report circulating on some unofficial channels regarding the possible dismissal of Esmail Baghaei, the spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, and his reassignment as Iran’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations headquarters in New York, drew significant attention in the political and media spheres. However, follow-up inquiries indicate that not only has such a decision not been finalized, but it has not even been formally raised. Still, analysts believe that the timing and spread of this rumor may be linked to internal dynamics and competition within Iran’s foreign policy establishment.

 

According to the rumor, Baghaei was expected to replace Amir Saeed Iravani, who has served as Iran’s representative to the UN in New York since 2022. While Iravani’s three-year tenure may suggest the possibility of rotation, historical precedents show that the duration of this post has varied widely, ranging from three to eight years.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baqaee, attends a press conference in Tehran, Iran, May 5, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)

Baghaei’s Diplomatic Background

Baghaei is a familiar figure in Iran’s diplomatic arena. From 2018 to 2022, he served as Iran’s Permanent Representative to the UN’s European office in Geneva. Before and after that posting, he held various key positions in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including a role in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) negotiations and subsequent efforts to revive the agreement. His involvement in the nuclear negotiations has made him a point of contention among some political factions inside Iran.

 

In October 2024, he was appointed by Abbas Araghchi as Deputy Foreign Minister and the official spokesperson of the ministry — a role that not only carries significant administrative responsibility but also positions him as the public voice of Iran’s diplomatic strategy. Since assuming this role, Baghaei has worked to expand engagement with universities and academic organizations to strengthen public diplomacy efforts.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baqaee attend a press conference in Tehran, Iran, August 4, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)

New York Assignment: Promotion or Lateral Shift?

Despite the strategic importance of the New York mission, assigning Baghaei to this role would not constitute a promotion in organizational terms. He previously held an equivalent ambassadorial post in Geneva and currently serves at the deputy ministerial level in Tehran. Thus, even if such a reassignment were to occur in the future, it would represent a lateral move rather than an elevation in rank.

 

Why Now?

The official denial of the rumor leaves one key question unanswered:

Why was the rumor released at this particular moment, and what purpose might it serve?

 

Observers suggest the development may be related to ongoing internal positioning around Iran’s foreign policy priorities — particularly regarding the future of nuclear diplomacy and the individuals associated with it. Even if the rumor proves unfounded, its emergence reflects shifting calculations and debates behind the scenes in Iran’s diplomatic apparatus.