The Vatican’s Long Game With Iran

ISABELLA BONOTTO
Iranian Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Seyyed Abbas Salehi (3L) walks with Iranian Ambassador to the Vatican Mohammad Hossein Mokhtari (2L) as they arrive ahead of late Pope Francis’ funeral in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican on April 26, 2025.

ANALYSIS: Behind a recent controversial honor for Tehran’s envoy lies a history of back‑channel diplomacy, shared U.N. battles and carefully tended lines to the ayatollahs.

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