Kazem Gharibabadi

Kazem Gharibabadi is an Iranian diplomat and legal expert who is the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Legal and International Affairs of Iran. He has held various significant roles within Iran's legal and diplomatic institutions, contributing to the country's foreign policy and international legal strategies. Gharibabadi is known for his work in human rights advocacy, nuclear negotiations, and international diplomacy.^[1][2][3]

Kazem Gharibabadi in 2019

Career

Deputy Foreign Minister

Kazem Gharibabadi was appointed as the Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs in September 2024. He is responsible for overseeing Iran's legal and diplomatic relations, focusing on international legal matters and shaping the country's foreign policy. His expertise in international law and diplomacy positions him as a key figure in Iran's efforts to strengthen its global standing.^[1]

Secretary of the High Council for Human Rights

Prior to his appointment as Deputy Foreign Minister, Gharibabadi served as the Secretary of the High Council for Human Rights, an Iranian government body responsible for defending Iran's human rights record and responding to international human rights criticism. In this capacity, he represented Iran in various international forums and played a significant role in addressing allegations against the country regarding human rights violations.^[4]

Vice President for International Affairs of the Judiciary

Gharibabadi has held the position of Vice President for International Affairs of the Iranian Judiciary, where he was involved in international legal matters and representing Iran's legal interests abroad.^[5]

Nuclear negotiations

Kazem Gharibabadi has been involved in Iran's nuclear negotiations, serving as a key representative in discussions concerning Iran's nuclear program. He has been expected to take on the role of Iran's chief nuclear negotiator, leading talks with international counterparts regarding the country's nuclear ambitions. Gharibabadi's position in these talks is integral to shaping the future of Iran's nuclear policy and its relations with other world powers.^[6] On January 1, 2025, he stated that Iran will hold talks with Britain, Germany and France in Switzerland. According to ISNA news agency he said: "The new round of talks between Iran and three European countries will be held in Geneva on January 13."^[7]

Public engagement and advocacy

Human rights advocacy

Kazem Gharibabadi has been a vocal critic of Western countries, particularly the United States, accusing them of hypocrisy regarding human rights. He has asserted that the U.S. often uses human rights as a political tool while ignoring its own shortcomings in the area. His outspoken stance on these issues highlights his commitment to defending Iran's position on human rights, both domestically and internationally.^[4]

Counter-terrorism efforts

In addition to his work on human rights, Gharibabadi has been involved in Iran's efforts to combat terrorism. He has emphasized Iran's leadership in the fight against terrorist organizations and highlighted the country's sacrifices in this regard. Gharibabadi's advocacy on terrorism aligns with Iran's broader political and strategic goals in the region.^[8]

Diplomatic engagement

Kazem Gharibabadi has engaged with key international partners, such as China. In December 2024, he met with Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu in Beijing to discuss bilateral relations and international legal issues, further demonstrating his diplomatic and international expertise.^[9]

Gold pen incident

In April 2025, Kazem Gharibabadi was accused of stealing a gold-plated pen during US-Iran talks held in Oman. Iran’s ambassador in Muscat, Musa Farhang, dismissed the allegations as “a vile lie.” His denial followed widespread reactions on social media to claims that Gharibabadi, a senior member of Iran’s negotiating team, had taken a gold pen reportedly placed on the negotiation table. The ambassador urged the public to remain vigilant against what he called “enemy rumors” and to avoid spreading such misinformation.^[10][11]