Ali Larijani, secretary of the supreme national security council of Iran. However, national security council chief Ali Larijani has emerged as one of Iran’s most dominant figures following the assassination of the supreme leader. In 2025 US president Donald Trump called for a return to nuclear negotiations but Khamenei dismissed the offer as an effort to impose US conditions on Iran. Larijani said Iran had no choice but to develop nuclear weapons if attacked by the US, Israel or their allies. On June 22nd, the US and Israel bombed Iran’s nuclear facilities at Nantaz, Fordow and Isfahan, devastating Tehran’s nuclear programme.

Source: The Irish Times March 04, 2026 06:00 UTC