Nuclear Negotiations File Will Not Be Handed Over to Supreme National Security Council for Now
WANA (Aug 11) – Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, dismissed speculation about transferring the management of nuclear negotiations between Iran and Europe to the Secretariat of the Supreme National Security Council, stating that “there is currently no such plan on the agenda” and that the Foreign Ministry remains the lead authority on the matter.
Ali Larijani has assumed the role of Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council at a time when the nuclear talks file remains within the Foreign Ministry and the region faces high-stakes developments — from the Azerbaijan–Armenia agreement at the White House and the Zangezur Corridor issue, to Azerbaijan’s alleged role in Israel’s airstrike on Iran, and Lebanon’s official call for the disarmament of Hezbollah. This has prompted the question: what role will Larijani play in such a sensitive moment?
With the start of his tenure, speculation grew that the management of the Iran–Europe negotiations might be entrusted to the council’s secretariat. Larijani’s previous experience leading nuclear talks with Europe from 2005 to 2007, and his familiarity with the council’s mechanisms, fueled these predictions. However, speaking to reporters, Araghchi reiterated that “there is currently no such plan.”
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei, answering a similar question, noted: “The nuclear issue has always been handled in coordination with, and under the oversight of, the Supreme National Security Council. The Foreign Ministry is in charge of negotiations and proceeds based on decisions made by the country’s governing bodies.” He expressed hope that Larijani’s presence would further enhance coordination in diplomacy-related matters.
Ali Larijani Back in Iran’s Supreme National Security Council
WANA (Aug 06) – The return of Ali Larijani to Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) has once again placed his name at the forefront of the country’s strategic developments. It is the very body where, two decades ago in the 2000s, Larijani — as the Supreme Leader’s representative and its secretary — played a […]
First Foreign Trip and Message to Lebanon
Larijani’s diplomatic activity began today with a trip to Iraq, officially aimed at signing security agreements. On the sidelines, however, he revealed plans to visit Lebanon, saying: “There are messages that we will convey… National unity and Lebanon’s independence are important to us, and we will help preserve them. Strengthening trade relations between the two countries is also a priority.”
Lebanon has recently faced intensified Israeli attacks, and its government has, for the first time, officially moved to place all arms under state control by the end of 2025 — a decision widely seen as an effort to disarm Hezbollah, which the group has strongly opposed.
While details of Larijani’s upcoming trip to Lebanon remain undisclosed, analysts point to his previous visits to Syria and Lebanon last year to deliver messages from Tehran as a sign that his new mission falls within the same pattern.
In essence, while Araghchi at the Foreign Ministry focuses on the nuclear file and Iran’s engagement with Europe and the United States, Larijani at the Supreme National Security Council is concentrating on regional developments. Although the outlook for both tracks remains uncertain, all indications point to Iran’s sustained diplomatic efforts to safeguard national interests and navigate emerging crises.
Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, Ali Larijani, met with Iraq’s National Security Advisor, Qasim al-Araji on August 11, 2025. Social media/ WANA News Agency
