A knowledgeable source told "Al-Arabiya" that "the Supreme Leader of Iran has entrusted negotiations with the United States regarding the nuclear file to former Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, Ali Shamhani." This was indirectly confirmed by Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani during the weekly press conference. In response to journalists today, Kanani stated, "I do not have specific points to share with you regarding indirect broadcasts on some networks."
Additionally, some unofficial sources indicate that the Iranian nuclear file has been assigned to Admiral Shamhani since last April. The Foreign Ministry spokesman continued his comments without denying this news, stating that negotiations regarding the lifting of sanctions "will be conducted under the guidance of high-ranking officials in the system," and that the negotiation team "will continue consultations in order to lift the sanctions." Iran’s political discourse uses the term "lifting of sanctions" instead of "nuclear negotiations."
Moreover, in response to a question about the visit of the Omani Foreign Minister to Tehran and reports about him carrying a message from the United States, Kanani said: "The visit of the Omani Foreign Minister to Tehran is to express condolences and convey Oman’s sympathy with Iran. Iran and Oman have many topics for joint and bilateral discussions, and this trip is an opportunity to discuss bilateral issues of common interest. The exchange of messages between Iran and the United States regarding negotiations for lifting sanctions has always been ongoing and has never ceased. The contents of the news published in some Western media stating that the Omani Foreign Minister carries a message from America are inaccurate and untrue.”
Admiral Ali Shamhani, of Arab Ahwazi descent, served as Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council and representative of the Supreme Leader in this council for ten years until May of last year. The current position is held by Admiral Ali Akbar Ahmadian. The news about the handover of the nuclear file to Shamhani comes after the "Axios" website reported on May 17, citing "informed sources," that two senior officials from the Biden administration negotiated indirectly with Iran in Oman about how to prevent escalation in the region. Axios noted that it is unclear who represented Iran in that round of negotiations.
Iran’s representative to the United Nations confirmed this report one day after it was published by Axios. Ali Bagheri Kani, who became acting Foreign Minister of Iran after the death of Hossein Amir Abdollahian in a helicopter crash on May 19, was responsible for the Iranian nuclear negotiations. Some social media users noted that Shamhani has been in charge of this file since March, suggesting that his recent mention might be connected to the upcoming presidential elections following Raisi’s death.
Early presidential elections in Iran are scheduled for June 28 of this year after the death of Ibrahim Raisi in a helicopter accident. While several figures within the Iranian system have announced their readiness to run for the presidential position, no reports have yet emerged regarding the possibility of Ali Shamhani's candidacy.
