Key Facts
Career & Education
About
John Forbes Kerry is an American attorney, politician, and diplomat who served as a long-serving U.S. Senator, the 2004 Democratic presidential nominee, and as the 68th U.S. Secretary of State from 2013 to 2017 under President Barack Obama. A key figure in Democratic foreign policy, he led negotiations for the 2015 Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA), spearheaded efforts to normalize U.S.-Cuba relations—including reopening the embassy in Havana—and engaged in intensive efforts to broker Israeli-Palestinian peace. During his tenure as Secretary of State, he attended a party hosted by Henry Kissinger and floated an idea regarding chemical weapons. He later served as U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, where he was instrumental in international climate negotiations. He is known for his long career in foreign affairs as a senator and diplomat, particularly for his role in Middle East diplomacy.