Ali Shamkhani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), resigned from his post last week in a tussle that would empower conservatives in the country.
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi appointed Ali Akbar Ahmadaian, a prominent commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), in his place.
Shamkhani, 67, appeared in Beijing two months ago at the signing of Iran's agreement with Saudi Arabia to normalize the relationship between the two countries. But on May 22, he hinted on Twitter that he would be leaving his post soon. Nour News, affiliated with the SNSC, retweeted Shamkhani's post.
Shamkhani served in the SNSC for 10 years. He played a central role in Iran’s strategic security dossiers during this time, including negotiations with the Saudis in Baghdad and normalizing relations with other Arab countries like Egypt and Jordan as well as in the nuclear negotiations and efforts to overcome US sanctions.
