TEHRAN – Former nuclear negotiator Majid Takht Ravanchi has been appointed as the Islamic Republic’s permanent representative to the United Nations, Fars news agency on Tuesday quoted Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi as saying.

Takht Ravanchi, 61, is currently deputy director for political affairs at the presidential office. He has also served as deputy foreign minister for European and American Affairs.

Qassemi said Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif suggested the appointment and it was approved by President Hassan Rouhani.

Takht Ravanchi will fill the position which had remained vacant for months after the former envoy to the UN, Gholamali Khoshroo, stepped down in late 2018.

MH/PA