News - Middle East: The European Union’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, and German and Iraqi foreign ministers have congratulated Abbas Araqchi on his appointment as the minister of foreign affairs of Iran.

Araqchi, a former nuclear negotiator, was appointed the nation’s foreign minister by President Masoud Pezeshkian. On Wednesday, he won a vote of confidence from the parliament as the new Iranian foreign minister.

He secured 247 out of 288 votes from the attending members.

Borrell congratulated Araqchi on his election during a phone call on Thursday.

He expressed hope that political discussions and consultations between Iran and the European Union will continue and expand during the new government.

Araqchi and Borrell also exchanged views on negotiations to lift sanctions against Iran and the latest developments related to the war and crimes committed by the Israeli regime in Gaza.

Earlier in the day, Araqchi announced Iran’s willingness to manage tensions with the United States and restore relations with European countries, provided that they stop their hostility towards the Islamic Republic.

He explained that as a crucial step toward removing sanctions on Iran's economy and normalizing its trade with the international community, the Foreign Ministry will seek to manage tensions with Washington and rebuild ties with European states, but only if they abandon their "hostile approach" while aiming to revive the 2015 nuclear deal and lift the bans.