Latest news with #AliLarijani
The National
6 days ago
- Politics
- The National
Ali Larijani: Iran's former speaker who is making a quiet comeback
As Iran picks itself up following last month's war with Israel, the country's leadership is trying to find a diplomatic way out of the current predicament over its nuclear programme. It has resumed engaging with other parties to the 2015 nuclear agreement (outside of the US). These include the three European powers – France, Germany and the UK – as well as China and Russia. The Europeans have threatened to use the so-called 'snapback' mechanism in the 2015 deal to re-impose UN sanctions on Iran. As it seeks to avoid such an outcome before the deadline expires next month, Tehran must also recalibrate its relations with Moscow – especially as their military co-operation in the Ukraine war has led to criticism in Europe. Ali Larijani, a former Iranian parliamentary speaker and currently an adviser to supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, surprised many by travelling on Sunday to Moscow, where he met Russian President Vladimir Putin. According to the Kremlin, the unannounced talks were focused on 'the escalated situation in the Middle East and around the Iranian nuclear programme'. Much speculation now abounds on the probable message Mr Larijani took to Mr Putin and how this might affect Iran's posture vis-a-vis Russia. The choice of Mr Larijani for such a sensitive trip is noteworthy since he doesn't hold an official position in government, although Iran's foreign ministry said he was in Moscow on behalf of President Masoud Pezeshkian – and that the ministry helped organise the trip. As an appointee of Mr Khamenei and a stalwart in the establishment, Mr Larijani carries enough diplomatic and political heft to have warranted a meeting with the Russian leadership. He has been in similar situations before, having visited China as the sitting speaker in 2019, in the company of then-foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif. Even after leaving office, he continued to help steer Tehran's relations with Beijing. However, his Moscow trip signals something more than a diplomatic process. It appears to mark a political comeback for Mr Larijani, who is playing an increasingly prominent role in Iranian politics these days. With his country in flux, and as the question of 'after Mr Khamenei, who?' becomes ever more pertinent, the former speaker could be harbouring lofty ambitions. Although the Islamic Republic was founded by an anti-monarchical revolution, it has a political aristocracy of its own – and this includes the Larijani family. Son of a prominent cleric, Mr Larijani has held several influential positions in government. Before he became speaker in 2008, he was a national security adviser and before that the head of the state broadcaster. He and his four brothers – all accomplished in their own ways – are part of a powerful conservative family with marital ties to other key families within the political class. Mr Lairjani's father-in-law is the late Morteza Motahhari, a well-known cleric and a key figure in the 1979 revolution. Despite having powerful links, the Larijani family was on the sidelines for many years. Mr Larijani always had impeccable conservative credentials. He was the bete noire of the reformist movement during his tenure at the state broadcaster, primarily over the state TV's constant negative coverage of then-president Mohmmad Khatami, who was a reformist. Yet not long after, the Larijanis found themselves in choppy political waters. Mr Khatami's successor, the hardline Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, came down heavily on the family, accusing its members of corruption, thereby making a significant dent in their image. Mr Larijani thereafter allied himself to the centrist president Hassan Rouhani, attracting even greater ire from hardliners and getting disqualified from running for the presidency on two occasions. His brother Sadeq, a former head of the judiciary, lost re-election to the influential Assembly of Experts last year. But as the pendulum of power once again swings inside the Islamic Republic, hardliners find themselves on the back foot as Mr Larijani and his brothers gradually return to the limelight. When Israeli missiles were raining down on Lebanon last November, Mr Larijani visited Beirut to meet then-prime minister Najib Mikati and Speaker of the Parliament Nabih Berri. The trip received plenty of attention and since then, his profile has continued to grow. He frequently posts on social media, and he gets more air time on TV. In May, he made a well-publicised visit to the Tehran Book Fair. When foreign dignitaries visit Iran, they often make it a point to meet him. During last month's 12-day war, Mr Larijani decried Israel's attacks while urging forbearance on the part of the Iranian government. In doing so, he projected an image of someone with a steady hand and plenty of experience, wisdom and foresight – qualities that are in short supply within the establishment right now. The former speaker hasn't hidden his political ambitions. As mentioned earlier, he sought to run for president twice. Having backed several centrist candidates in last year's parliamentary election, he has positioned himself as a pragmatist. His resume includes not only many years in government but also extensive military experience, having served in key positions within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. He is statesman-like and has a sense of humour, which would make him personable to many voters. The question then is whether he will receive the green light to run for high office one day. Recent developments suggest this might already be in the works.
France 24
21-07-2025
- Politics
- France 24
Iran turns to Russia and China to discuss European threat of sanctions ‘snapback'
Iran, Russia and China will meet on Tuesday to discuss Tehran's nuclear programme and the risk of sanctions being reimposed under the United Nations' snapback mechanism, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said. Britain, France and Germany, known as the E3, have warned they would use the mechanism, which would reimpose international sanctions on the Islamic Republic, if there was no progress on nuclear talks by the end of August. Speaking on Monday, Baghaei said there were currently no plans to resume nuclear talks with the United States, with whom Tehran held five rounds of indirect negotiations prior to Israel's strikes on Iran last month. Iran's deputy foreign ministers will hold nuclear talks with the E3 and European Union diplomats on Friday in Istanbul , Baghaei said, adding that Tehran would also "seek answers" because the countries did not condemn the Israeli and US strikes. The three European powers, along with China and Russia, are the remaining parties to a 2015 nuclear deal that lifted sanctions on Iran in return for restrictions on its nuclear programme. The US withdrew from the pact in 2018. The meeting between Iran, China and Russia will take place in Tehran at the level of foreign ministry director generals. "We are continuously coordinating with these countries on how to prevent (the snapback mechanism) or to mitigate its consequences," Baghaei said, adding that the E3 lacked the legal standing to invoke the mechanism. On Sunday, Ali Larijani in his capacity as presidential envoy, held a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss issues such as Iran's controversial nuclear programme.
India.com
21-07-2025
- Politics
- India.com
Russian president Putin shocks everyone with two massive steps in a day, Trump will be both happy and sad because…, Iran will now…
Russian president Putin shocks everyone with two massive steps in a day, Trump will be both happy and sad because…, Iran will now… In two massive developments impacting the geopolitical world, Russian President Vladimir Putin surprised everyone by taking two steps simultaneously. Media reports have it that the Russian President h By Abhijeet Sen Edited by Abhijeet Sen Advertisement Russian President Putin and Donald Trump In two massive developments impacting the geopolitical world, Russian President Vladimir Putin surprised everyone by taking two steps simultaneously. Media reports have it that the Russian President has on one hand, agreed to hold peace talks to end the Ukraine war, and on the other hand, he has held a surprise meeting with Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's top nuclear advisor Ali Larijani on Tehran's nuclear program. Here are all the details you need to know about the two significant developments between Iran, Russia and US. On the meeting with Ali Larijani on Sunday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that it was an unannounced meeting in which Larijani shared with the Russian president his 'assessment of the deteriorating situation in the Middle East and the Iranian nuclear program.' Advertisement === What was decided in Russia-Iran secret talk? In the recent development, it has been reported that Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on the meeting with Ali Larijani that it was an unannounced meeting in which Larijani shared with the Russian president regarding Putin's 'assessment of the deteriorating situation in the Middle East and the Iranian nuclear program.' Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky proposes fresh talks with Russia In the recent development, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that Kyiv has proposed to hold a new round of peace talks with Moscow next week. Notably, Rustem Umerov, who headed the Ukrainian delegation in the previous two talks in Istanbul, had sent the Russian side the offer to hold the meeting next week, Zelensky said in his recent address to the nation as per a report by IANS news agency. Advertisement === 'The momentum of the negotiations must be stepped up,' Zelensky said. 'Everything should be done to achieve a ceasefire.' Russia rejects US President's 50-day ultimatum In response to Trump's statement, Russia rejected US President's 50-day ultimatum to agree to a Ukraine ceasefire, dismissing the threat of 'severe tariffs' as unacceptable. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov emphasised that Moscow favours a diplomatic resolution to the Ukraine conflict and is ready to negotiate. (With inputs from agencies)
See - Sada Elbalad
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- See - Sada Elbalad
Putin Meets Top Iranian Advisor Amid Rising Middle East Tensions
Nada Mustafa Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov announced that Russian President Vladimir Putin received Ali Larijani, senior advisor to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in Moscow. In remarks to the press, Peskov stated, 'President Vladimir Putin met with Ali Larijani, a top advisor to the Iranian Supreme Leader, at the Kremlin,' according to Russia's TASS news agency. Peskov added that Larijani conveyed Iran's assessment of the ongoing escalation in the Middle East and the current situation surrounding Iran's nuclear program on behalf of the Iranian leadership. Shortly after the meeting, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Israel and Iran had agreed to a full ceasefire, which took effect on June 24. However, tensions in the Middle East remain volatile. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters Arts & Culture "Jurassic World Rebirth" Gets Streaming Date News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Arts & Culture South Korean Actress Kang Seo-ha Dies at 31 after Cancer Battle News "Tensions Escalate: Iran Probes Allegations of Indian Tech Collaboration with Israeli Intelligence" Sports Get to Know 2025 WWE Evolution Results News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks
The National
21-07-2025
- Politics
- The National
Iran to hold nuclear talks with European powers in Istanbul
Fresh talks between Iran and European powers over Tehran's nuclear programme will take place on Friday in Istanbul, state media has reported. It will be the first discussion since the US and Israel attacked Iranian nuclear facilities a month ago. Iranian diplomats will meet counterparts from the UK, France and Germany, known as the E3, after the trio warned that sanctions could be reimposed on Tehran if it does not return to the negotiating table. "In response to the request of European countries, Iran has agreed to hold a new round of talks," said foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghai, as quoted by state TV. Israel launched a wave of surprise strikes on Iran last month, targeting key military and nuclear facilities. The US launched its own set of strikes on June 22, hitting the uranium enrichment facility at Fordow, in Qom province south of Tehran, as well as nuclear sites in Isfahan and Natanz. Iran and the US had held several rounds of nuclear negotiations through Omani mediators before Israel launched its 12-day war. But US President Donald Trump 's decision to join Israel in striking the Iranian nuclear facilities effectively ended the talks. Western nations and Israel have long accused Iran of seeking to develop nuclear weapons, a charge Tehran has consistently denied. The E3 countries last met with Iranian representatives in Geneva on June 21 - just one day before the US strikes. Ali Larijani, top adviser to Iran's supreme leader on nuclear issues, met Russian President Vladimir Putin in a surprise meeting at the Kremlin on Sunday. Mr Larijani "conveyed assessments of the escalating situation in the Middle East and around the Iranian nuclear programme", Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said of the meeting. Mr Putin expressed Russia's "well-known positions on how to stabilise the situation in the region and on the political settlement of the Iranian nuclear programme", Mr Peskov added. Iran and world powers struck a deal in 2015 called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, which placed significant restrictions on Tehran's nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief. But the hard-won deal began to unravel in 2018, during Mr Trump's first presidency, when the US walked away from it and reimposed sanctions on Iran. European countries have in recent days threatened to trigger the deal's "snapback" mechanism, which allows the reimposition of sanctions in the event of non-compliance by Iran. After a call with his European counterparts on Friday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Western nations had "absolutely no moral, legal grounds" for reactivating the snapback sanctions. He elaborated in a post to social media on Sunday. "Through their actions and statements, including providing political and material support to the recent unprovoked and illegal military aggression of the Israeli regime and the US ... the E3 have relinquished their role as 'participants' in the JCPOA," said Mr Araghchi. That made any attempt to reinstate the terminated UN Security Council resolutions "null and void", he added.
