Change of power in Iran's Security Council

The Security Council deals with issues relating to national security, national defense and the protection of the Islamic Revolution. In addition to the President as Chairman, the Council has around a dozen members, including several ministers and generals. The Secretary General serves as the envoy of the religious leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The Council makes decisions about parliament, which are final after approval by the religious leader. In the past, Iran's nuclear program has been a recurring topic for the Council.

It remains unclear whether the change at the top heralds a change of course within the Iranian power apparatus. Ahmadian is to hold a newly created office in the government, as reported by the Tasnim news agency.

Larijani wanted to run for the presidential election in Iran last year, but was disqualified by the so-called Guardian Council, a central supervisory body. The former brigadier general and mathematician is considered a "man of the system", but has also repeatedly advocated more moderate positions in recent years. After the election, he worked as an advisor to Head of State Khamenei. Larijani was previously Secretary General of the Security Council from 2005 to 2007.