Skip to main content

Will nuclear talks prevent Jalili's return to politics?

A successful conclusion to the negotiations on Iran's nuclear program could doom the effort by hard-line former nuclear negotiator Saeed Jaili to return to politics as a member of parliament.
Iran's chief negotiator Saeed Jalili attends a news conference after the talks on Iran's nuclear programme in Almaty, April 6, 2013. World powers and Iran remained far apart after ending two days of intensive talks on Tehran's nuclear programme on Saturday, the European Union's foreign policy chief said, prolonging a stand-off that risks spiralling into a new Middle East war. REUTERS/Shamil Zhumatov (KAZAKHSTAN  - Tags: POLITICS ENERGY) - RTXYAOV

In October 2007, Ali Larijani resigned from his post as secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council because of what he called a “serious managerial disagreement” with President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Deputy Foreign Minister for European and American Affairs Saeed Jalili replaced him. Now, eight years later, the Iranian media is reporting that Jalili is preparing to run for parliament and to replace Larijani again, this time as speaker of the Iranian parliament.

In May, Aryanews reported, “It seems Saeed Jalili, who surprisingly became a candidate in the 11th presidential election and changed the political equations of the Principlists and the election itself, has now apparently decided to try his chance at becoming a parliamentarian.” With parliamentary elections scheduled for February 2016, there have also been reports that the ultraconservative Ayatollah Mohammad Taghi Mesbah Yazdi, head of the Imam Khomeini Institute and a supporter of Jalili’s bid in the 2013 presidential polling, is considering once again putting his weight behind him.

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.