Ali Larijani Named Iran’s National Security Chief Amid Post-War Restructuring

Edited By: Widad WAHBI

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has announced the appointment of Ali Larijani as the new Secretary-General of the Supreme National Security Council, succeeding Ali Akbar Ahmadian. This move signals potential shifts within Iran’s political and security structure, occurring just weeks after the recent Iran-Israel conflict in June.

Larijani, a senior advisor to the Supreme Leader and member of the Expediency Discernment Council, is a prominent figure across various decision-making bodies in Iran. He previously served as Speaker of Parliament for three terms, held the position of Secretary-General of the National Security Council, and carried out several key diplomatic missions, most notably to Moscow shortly before the recent war.

This appointment coincides with the establishment of the “National Defense Council” under Article 176 of the constitution, understood as part of a broader restructuring of Iran’s military and security apparatus. This comes after official assessments revealed organizational and security weaknesses during the recent conflict, including multiple reports of Israeli infiltrations into sensitive Iranian institutions.

These changes indicate Iranian authorities’ efforts to regain control by reassessing their defense and security priorities and reducing the vulnerabilities exposed during the conflict.

Domestically, Larijani’s appointment is seen as an attempt to balance the conservative and reformist factions, though it does not necessarily imply a fundamental shift in state policies. Some view this move as a political easing, while others interpret it as a tactical repositioning to address mounting internal and external challenges.

Overall, Larijani’s appointment aims to enhance coordination among security and political institutions and improve the management of security issues based on lessons learned from the Iran-Israel conflict, with the goal of limiting internal breaches and strengthening defensive readiness amid a volatile regional environment.