In a high-level meeting held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mahmoud Khosravi Vafa, President of Iran National Olympic Committee (NOC), and Kioumars Hashemi, Chair of the NOC Commission on International Relations, met with Foreign Affairs Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi to discuss expanding cooperation in the field of sports diplomacy.
Iran NOC; Tehran: Mr. Khosravi Vafa expressed his appreciation for the
continued support of the Foreign Affairs Ministry and Iranian diplomatic representatives
worldwide, especially in facilitating international participation of Iranian
athletes in major events such as the Asian Games and the Olympic Games. He
emphasized on the strategic role of sports diplomacy as a tool for advancing
public diplomacy and enhancing the international image of Iran. Drawing on
successful global examples, he highlighted the unique capacity of elite sports
to support national interests and stressed the importance of enhanced
collaboration between the NOC and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, aligning the
realms of international sport and foreign policy. Mr. Hashemi, a former
Minister of Sports and Youth, acknowledged the Foreign Affairs Ministry’s instrumental
role in resolving international legal challenges and supporting Iran’s
successful bids for international sports positions. He underlined that closer
institutional cooperation can foster a more unified and impactful global
presence for Iran through sport.
Foreign Affairs Minister Dr. Araghchi reaffirmed the value of sport as a
bridge between nations and a powerful force in public diplomacy, welcoming
proposals to strengthen this synergy. One key outcome of the meeting was the
proposal to establish a dedicated “Sports Diplomacy Desk” within the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs — a suggestion warmly received and set to be developed
further by the NOC in accordance with Olympic Movement principles and national
regulations.