Abdollahian: ” We will continue our efforts to reach a ceasefire in Ukraine by taking advantage of President Putin’s presence next week”

A dark suit over a light grey shirt. Elegant shoes. A determined look. The choice – common among Iranian elites – not to use English, although he speaks it fluently. Hossein Amir Abdollahian, Tehran’s Foreign Minister, is in Rome for two days of talks between the Farnesina and the Vatican. Ukraine, the nuclear dossier and Syria on the agenda of a diplomat who, unlike his predecessor Javad Zarif, is close to the Guardians of the Revolution and has  therefore been in charge of the hottest dossiers in Tehran for years.