Iran has appointed Reza Najafi as its new ambassador and permanent representative to several Vienna-based international organisations, including the UN nuclear watchdog, local media reported.
He will be replacing Mohsen Naziri-Asl who served in the role since 2022, ISNA news agency said on Wednesday.
Najafi, a former deputy foreign minister, previously held the post from 2013 to 2018 — a period marked by Iran’s signing of a landmark nuclear deal with the United States and world powers.
The deal — known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) —imposed curbs on Iran’s nuclear programme in return for sanctions relief.
It fell apart after the US withdrew from the agreement in 2018 during President Donald Trump’s first term. Tehran adhered to the deal until a year after Washington pulled out, but then began rolling back its commitments.
Trump, who returned to the White House in January, reinstated his “maximum pressure” policy of sanctions against Iran over allegations the country is seeking nuclear weapons capability.
