Iran’s Supreme National Security Council in Charge of the Nuclear Portfolio?

The Supreme National Security Council appears to have assumed control of Iran’s nuclear portfolio from the Foreign Ministry, but fundamental questions remain. Since President Donald J. Trump claims to have “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear program, does Washington still intend to negotiate with Tehran? How should Tehran interpret his earlier call for Iran’s “unconditional surrender?” More critical, what is Tehran prepared to concede at the negotiating table, and in exchange for what? And is Washington prepared to accommodate those expectations?  

• September 11: Reformist outlet Entekhab News, citing Esmaeel Kowsari, a member of the parliamentary National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, reported that Iran’s nuclear portfolio was removed from the control of the Foreign Ministry and transferred to the Supreme National Security Council, which is led by Ali Larijani. Quoting Mansur Haqiqatpur, a conservative parliamentarian and veteran of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Entekhab wrote:  

• • “As a distinguished and high-ranking statesman, Mr. Larijani has been made the head of the council, and it is expected that negotiation policies will now be set by the SNSC. Moreover, given the variety of international issues Iran faces and current sensitivities, the council must, as in the past, function as a professional body shaping decisions on different matters. Therefore, it is a very reasonable plan for the nuclear file to be placed fully under the authority of the SNSC.” 

• • “The dynamism Mr. Larijani has brought to the council has inspired hope in everyone. He is a capable figure who, even in the past, was directly engaged in the heart of the nuclear negotiations. Now, with his presence in the council and the entrusting of the nuclear file to this body, there will no longer be cause for concern, and the deadlock in the negotiations will be broken. In truth, parallel structures must not be created, and it is the right decision to entrust the nuclear issue to the council.” 

• • Addressing the possibility that Larijani himself might replace Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi as the chief negotiator, Haqiqatpur stated: “It is not yet clear whether this will happen or not, because the level of negotiations and the identity of the other side’s negotiator are still unknown. For now, Mr. Araghchi is conducting the talks and not badly. The issue is not the individual negotiator; the issue is that whoever conducts the negotiations must operate under the supervision of the SNSC, with the council providing the necessary directives. But overall, regardless of who negotiates, in the nuclear file there is no one more professional than Mr. Larijani.” 

• • In conclusion, Haqiqatpur said: “The SNSC must be able to play a role in sensitive international matters, and, more broadly, it must be able to make timely decisions against any threat to the interests of the nation and the country. I believe that, in the current circumstances, and with Mr. Larijani’s presence, this institution will fulfill this responsibility in the best possible manner. Now is not the time to challenge the Foreign Ministry. In my view, the ministry has weaknesses in this period, especially regarding Syria, where it did not perform well. But at present, for the sake of national interest, it is not the time to criticize the Foreign Ministry. We must all do our utmost to preserve cohesion.” 

The views represented herein are the author's or speaker's own and do not necessarily reflect the views of AGSI, its staff, or its board of directors.