In Khamenei’s absence, pragmatist Larijani emerges as power broker in Iran
#Ali Larijani#Iran#Khamenei#Nuclear negotiations#U.S. sanctions#Supreme National Security Council#Power broker#Leadership council
📌 Key Takeaways
Ali Larijani emerged as Iran's key power broker following the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei in U.S./Israel strikes
Larijani announced the formation of a temporary leadership council to manage Iran during the crisis
As Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, he oversees nuclear negotiations, regional ties, and internal security
Despite U.S. sanctions, Larijani has maintained diplomatic relations with Oman and Russia to navigate international tensions
📖 Full Retelling
Veteran Iranian politician Ali Larijani announced on March 1, 2026, that a temporary leadership council would be established following an air strike that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with Larijani emerging as a key power broker in Iran during this period of crisis, managing critical areas from nuclear negotiations to regional security and internal unrest. Following the deadly strikes that also killed Iran's Armed Forces Chief of Staff Abdolrahim Mousavi, Larijani has been consolidating his position within Iran's power structure. Appointed in August 2025 as Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, the establishment insider with ties to one of Iran's leading clerical families has overseen Iran's efforts to reach a nuclear agreement with the United States, despite Washington sanctioning him in January for allegedly directing a crackdown on anti-government protests. Larijani has accused the U.S. and Israel of attempting to 'plunder and disintegrate Iran' while warning 'secessionist groups' of harsh responses, as he navigates the complex post-Khamenei political landscape. Larijani's return to high-level diplomacy has been marked by pragmatic approaches to international relations, including trips to Oman to prepare for indirect nuclear talks with the U.S. and multiple visits to Moscow to discuss security ties with key ally Russia. His public statements on the nuclear issue reflect this pragmatism, as he told Oman state television that 'this issue is resolvable' and that American concerns about Iran's nuclear program could be addressed. However, his position has been complicated by U.S. sanctions imposed in January following anti-government protests, with Washington accusing him of being 'one of the first Iranian leaders to call for violence in response to the legitimate demands of the Iranian people.'
Ali Hosseini Khamenei (born 19 April 1939) is an Iranian cleric and politician who has served as the second supreme leader of Iran since 1989. He previously served as the third president of Iran from 1981 to 1989. His tenure as supreme leader, spanning 36 years, makes him the longest-serving head of...
Iran's nuclear program, one of the most scrutinized in the world, has sparked intense international concern. While Iran asserts that its nuclear ambitions are purely for civilian purposes, including energy production, the country historically pursued the secretive AMAD nuclear weapons project (stopp...
# Iran
**Iran**, officially the **Islamic Republic of Iran** and historically known as **Persia**, is a sovereign country situated in West Asia. It is a major regional power, ranking as the 17th-largest country in the world by both land area and population. Combining a rich historical legacy with a...
Supreme National Security Council (SNSC; Persian: شورای عالی امنیت ملی, romanized: Showrā-ye Āli-ye Amniyat-e Mellī), also known as Supreme Council for National Security, is the national security council of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The council was formed for the protection and support of nation...
Ali Ardashir Larijani (born 3 June 1958) is an Iranian politician and former military officer in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, who serves as Secretary of Supreme National Security Council since 2025. He served as the Speaker of the Parliament of Iran from 2008 to 2020. He has been a member ...
try{ var _=i o; . if(!_||_&&typeof _==="object"&&_.expiry U.S., Israel strike Iran — what is known so far Strategists see only temporary market impact from Iran strikes Bitcoin prices fall below $64,000 after U.S./Israel attack on Iran Berkshire’s operating profit slides nearly 30% on insurance underwriting (South Africa Philippines Nigeria) In Khamenei’s absence, pragmatist Larijani emerges as power broker in Iran By Reuters World Published 03/01/2026, 03:01 AM Updated 03/01/2026, 03:07 AM In Khamenei’s absence, pragmatist Larijani emerges as power broker in Iran 0 By Ahmed Elimam March 1 - Veteran Iranian politician Ali Larijani, who said on Sunday a temporary leadership council would be set up after an air strike killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, reemerged last year as one of the most powerful figures in the security hierarchy. He has been managing a broad portfolio from nuclear negotiations to Tehran’s regional ties to its violent suppression of internal unrest. An establishment insider who hails from one of the country’s leading clerical families, Larijani had been overseeing Iran’s efforts to reach a nuclear deal with the United States - just a month after Washington sanctioned him in January for allegedly directing a deadly crackdown on anti-government protests. He accused the United States and Israel of trying to plunder and disintegrate Iran and warned "secessionist groups" of a harsh response if they attempted any action, state television said on Sunday, nearly 24 hours after they began a wave of attacks on Iran. Iran’s Armed Forces Chief of Staff Abdolrahim Mousavi was also killed in strikes, broadcaster Iran TV said. Appointed in August as Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council , Larijani has held senior jobs throughout a career marked by loyalty to Khamenei and a reputation for pragmatic relations with the system’s often-rival factions. His status as a trusted Khamenei strategist was underscored last month by a trip to mediator O...
