Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on Thursday appointed Ali Larijani as his personal representative to the Supreme National Security Council, two days after President Masoud Pezeshkian named Larijani as the council’s secretary.
With the appointment, Larijani replaces Ali Akbar Ahmadian both as secretary of the Supreme National Security Council and as one of Khamenei’s two designated representatives to the body. Saeed Jalili, who served as SNSC secretary from 2007 to 2013, is the other representative currently serving in that capacity.
“Given Dr. Ahmadian’s assignment to important executive responsibilities, I appoint Dr. Ali Larijani as my representative in the Supreme National Security Council, in accordance with Article 176 of the Constitution,” Khamenei wrote in a formal decree.
Khamenei appoints Shamkhani and Ahmadian to Defense Council
In a separate decree, Khamenei named both Ahmadian and former SNSC secretary Ali Shamkhani as his personal representatives to the Supreme Defense Council, a newly revived body expected to oversee national defense policy and coordinate military planning.
The council is part of a broader institutional overhaul announced after a 12-day war with Israel in June, during which Iranian military and nuclear facilities were hit by Israeli and US strikes.
The Defense Council will include the heads of the executive, legislative and judicial branches, top military commanders, and key cabinet ministers. It will be chaired by President Pezeshkian, according to Iranian media.
Larijani returns to powerful role
Larijani, 67, is one of the most experienced figures in Iran’s political system. He previously served as SNSC secretary from 2005 to 2007, and has held positions including speaker of parliament, Minister of Culture, head of state broadcasting (IRIB), and advisor to the Supreme Leader.
Though considered a conservative close to the Supreme Leader, Larijani has occasionally clashed with hardliners. He registered for presidential elections on three occasions but was twice disqualified by Iran’s Guardian Council. His political tone on diplomacy and domestic issues has softened in recent years.
