In a move that surprised many in Iran, former moderate parliament speaker Ali Larijani was recently appointed secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, the body that holds ultimate authority over the country’s security and foreign policy decisions.
The appointment, which must be approved by the supreme leader, raised eyebrows among observers, especially given Ali Khamenei’s initial opposition to Larijani holding the same post at the start of reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian’s term just a year ago.
However, Khamenei’s stance reportedly shifted as the council’s former secretary, Ali Akbar Ahmadian, appeared increasingly weak amid a year of domestic unrest and regional turmoil - particularly in the wake of Israel’s 12-day war on Iran in June.
Larijani’s appointment is especially notable given his fraught history with the Guardian Council, the Khamenei-controlled body that vets candidates for major elected office. The council had disqualified him from the last two presidential races, citing what it called a lack of “prudence“ and insufficient executive experience.
A former member of the Revolutionary Guard Corps, Larijani served as secretary of the National Security Council from 2005 to 2007. His return to one of Iran’s most critical security posts signals a recalibration of the internal balance of power within the establishment.
