Larijani Ascendant Amid Strategic Ambiguity

Iran is reshuffling its personnel and institutions in preparation for negotiations with the United States, and possibly renewed hostilities with Israel. However, the regime’s broader strategy remains unclear. 

• September 11: Control of Iran’s nuclear program was handed over from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the Supreme National Security Council. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, quoted by Entekhab News Agency, commented on the transfer of the nuclear portfolio: 

• • “Responsibility for Iran’s nuclear dossier has always rested with the Supreme National Security Council. Decisions are made in this council, and implementation is the responsibility of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs … At certain points in the past, the implementation of decisions was also carried out directly by the council, but since the administration of President Hassan Rouhani, this responsibility was delegated to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. At present, the process continues in the same way: The council makes the decisions, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Iran Atomic Energy Organization, depending on the issue, are responsible for implementing them … At one stage, this responsibility within the council was entrusted to Mr. Ali Shamkhani,” former SNSC secretary.   

• • Now, as secretary, Ali Larijani “is leading the nuclear dossier, and every institution, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Iran Atomic Energy Organization, does its share of implementing the council’s resolutions.” 

• September 14: Mohammad Mohajeri, a reformist political activist, was interviewed by reformist Shargh Daily about Larijani’s role as SNSC secretary:  

• • “There is a need for unified management of the nuclear portfolio, the negotiations, and foreign policy and diplomacy … Mr. Larijani’s return to the SNSC provides an opportunity to transfer the nuclear portfolio to the council.” 

• • “I am not trying to exaggerate or downplay Mr. Larijani’s importance. But regardless of who is appointed to key positions, such as the SNSC secretary, they cannot succeed without the necessary powers. I do not know whether Mr. Larijani will be granted such authority in the nuclear field, whether in preventing another war, advancing negotiations, or even creating a safe economic environment … If he has broad powers, his burden of responsibility will grow. Conversely, if he lacks authority, he can always evade accountability.” 

• • Saeed Jalili, former SNSC secretary, “is aware of his own capacities and limitations. He knows he is a third- or fourth-tier political figure. During his short tenure as SNSC secretary, he became the least successful and worst secretary the council has had. He has never even managed a bakery … As for Mr. Ali Baqeri Kani,” recently appointed Larijani’s deputy, “his stance on the necessity of negotiations has shifted 180 degrees since his time as Jalili’s deputy.” 

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.