On June 20, 2025, throughout a diplomatic assembly in Geneva addressing Iran’s nuclear program and regional tensions, Iranian Overseas Minister Abbas Araghchi reportedly didn’t shake fingers with EU Overseas Coverage Chief Kaja Kallas. A number of posts on X and media reviews spotlight this second, noting that Araghchi shook fingers with male counterparts—British Overseas Secretary David Lammy, French Overseas Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, and German Overseas Minister Johann Wadephul—however made a hand-on-chest gesture towards Kallas, which some interpreted as a refusal to shake her hand as a result of her gender or cultural/non secular causes. Under, I’ll analyze the incident, its context, potential causes, and public sentiment, incorporating insights from accessible sources.
Context of the Geneva Assembly
- Occasion: The assembly on the Intercontinental Lodge in Geneva concerned the E3 (UK, France, Germany) and EU representatives discussing Iran’s nuclear program amid escalating Israel-Iran battle, following Israeli airstrikes on Iranian nuclear websites beginning June 13, 2025.
- Members: Araghchi met Lammy, Barrot, Wadephul, and Kallas, marking the primary face-to-face Western-Iranian talks because the battle started. The discussions, lasting over three hours, yielded no breakthrough however signaled Iran’s willingness to proceed dialogue.
- End result: Araghchi said Iran would contemplate diplomacy solely after Israeli “aggression” stops, whereas European ministers urged negotiations with out awaiting a ceasefire. Kallas emphasised conserving communication channels open, masking nuclear and broader points.
The Handshake Incident
- Particulars: Stories point out Araghchi shook fingers with the male international ministers however not with Kallas. As a substitute, he reportedly used a hand-on-chest gesture, a typical Center Jap signal of respect, typically used to keep away from bodily contact for cultural or non secular causes.
- Sources:
- X posts, together with @LaStampa (Italian media), reported Araghchi’s refusal to shake Kallas’s hand, explicitly linking it to her gender.
- @ZaraRiffler and @Georg_Pazderski famous the incident, with the latter criticizing the EU for participating with Iran regardless of this perceived slight.
- @GLNoronha described Kallas permitting Araghchi’s “bizarre hand-on-chest gesture” whereas male ministers obtained handshakes.
- @Sue16021 cited ZDF’s heute Journal, claiming Araghchi’s refusal was accepted by Western leaders with out protest.
- Visible Proof: No direct footage or images verify the handshake refusal, although photos present Araghchi with male ministers (e.g., on the assembly desk) and Kallas posing individually with the E3.
Potential Causes for Araghchi’s Gesture
- Cultural/Spiritual Norms:
- In some Islamic traditions, bodily contact between unrelated women and men is averted out of modesty. Iranian officers, together with Araghchi, have beforehand used non-contact gestures (e.g., hand-on-chest or nods) when greeting ladies in diplomatic settings.
- @clemino61 speculated this was for “non secular causes,” although additionally they posed another motive tied to private animus.
- This observe isn’t common amongst Iranian diplomats however is frequent amongst conservative figures, aligning with Iran’s theocratic governance.
- Diplomatic Sign:
- Some X customers, like @GLNoronha, prompt Araghchi’s gesture was a deliberate snub, presumably reflecting Iran’s frustration with EU insurance policies or Kallas’s stance on Iran’s nuclear program.
- Kallas’s insistence on diplomacy to forestall Iran’s nuclear weapon improvement, echoed by the E3, could have been seen as aligning with Western strain, doubtlessly prompting a symbolic gesture.
- Private or Political Bias:
- Critics like @Georg_Pazderski framed the gesture as reflective of Iran’s broader therapy of ladies, citing human rights abuses (e.g., punishing ladies for not sporting hijab).
- @clemino61’s “monster stuffed with hatred” comment suggests a private or ideological rejection of Kallas, although this lacks proof and appears speculative.
- Protocol Misunderstanding:
- The gesture may need been a impartial cultural expression misinterpreted by Western observers unfamiliar with Iranian customs. Nonetheless, the selective handshaking with male ministers undermines this clarification.
Public and Media Sentiment
- X Reactions:
- Criticism of Iran: Posts like @Georg_Pazderski and @ZaraRiffler condemned Araghchi, linking his actions to Iran’s gender insurance policies and calling the EU’s engagement naive or complicit.
- Criticism of Kallas/EU: @GLNoronha and @Sue16021 prompt Kallas’s acceptance of the gesture confirmed weak point or hypocrisy, given the EU’s advocacy for gender equality.
- Combined Views: @clemino61 questioned whether or not the gesture was non secular or hostile, reflecting uncertainty about intent.
- Media Protection:
- La Stampa framed the incident as gender-based, amplifying its significance in European media.
- No main English-language retailers (e.g., BBC, The Guardian) highlighted the handshake challenge, focusing as an alternative on the nuclear talks’ outcomes.
- Broader Context: The incident resonates with ongoing debates about Iran’s human rights report, significantly ladies’s rights, amid international consideration to instances like Mahsa Amini’s 2022 loss of life. It additionally underscores cultural clashes in diplomacy, the place gestures carry symbolic weight.
Crucial Evaluation
- Cultural Context: Araghchi’s hand-on-chest gesture is probably going rooted in Islamic cultural norms, as seen in previous Iranian diplomatic interactions. Nonetheless, selectively shaking fingers with male ministers suggests a gendered utility, which could be perceived as disrespectful in Western contexts, particularly given Kallas’s senior function.
- Diplomatic Implications: The incident dangers overshadowing the talks’ substance, the place either side expressed willingness for additional dialogue. Kallas’s choice to not escalate the problem aligns along with her emphasis on conserving “communication channels open,” prioritizing de-escalation over cultural disputes.
- EU Hypocrisy?: Critics on X argue the EU’s silence on the gesture contradicts its gender equality advocacy. Nonetheless, diplomatic protocol typically tolerates cultural variations to keep up dialogue, particularly in high-stakes contexts like Iran’s nuclear program.
- Iran’s Perspective: Araghchi’s actions could cater to home audiences in Iran, the place conservative factions count on adherence to Islamic norms. His refusal to satisfy U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff whereas participating Europeans suggests a strategic strategy to diplomacy, presumably utilizing symbolic gestures to claim sovereignty.
Conclusion
Iranian Overseas Minister Abbas Araghchi’s reported refusal to shake fingers with EU Overseas Coverage Chief Kaja Kallas in Geneva on June 20, 2025, choosing a hand-on-chest gesture, probably displays cultural or non secular norms, although its selective utility to a feminine diplomat sparked accusations of gender-based disrespect. The incident, highlighted by X posts and Italian media, underscores cultural tensions in diplomacy however didn’t derail the nuclear talks, the place either side agreed to proceed discussions. Kallas’s restraint aligns with the EU’s concentrate on de-escalating the Israel-Iran battle, however critics see it as a missed alternative to problem Iran’s stance on gender. For extra particulars, verify www.bbc.com or www.theguardian.com for assembly protection. If you need evaluation of a particular facet (e.g., Kallas’s response, Iran’s diplomatic technique), let me know
