© Alex HALADA / AFP
Following the death of Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian, in a helicopter crash on Monday, Ali Bagheri Kani has been appointed by the Iranian government as the country's new Foreign Minister.
Ali Bagheri Kani can be understood as a continuity candidate, who will likely continue the hardline policies of the now deceased Amir-Abdollahian.
Ali Bagheri Kani has been serving as Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs since 2021, having previously served as Deputy Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council between 2007-13.
Whilst at the Supreme National Security Council, Ali Bagheri Kani played a central role in early nuclear talks, adopting a similar position to his predecessor Amir-Abdollahanian that Iran's nuclear program strengthened Iran's diplomatic hand, and forced America to deal with Iran as an equal.
He would go on to serve as Iran's chief nuclear negotiator in the JCPOA talks in Vienna.
Unlike Amir-Abdollahian, who grew up in one of Tehran's poorest neighbourhoods, Ali Bagheri Kani, born in 1967, had a relatively privileged upbringing. He received a PhD in economics from the prestigous Imam Sadegh University, which is often seen as an incubator for many regime elites.
His father and uncle both held senior positions in the Iranian government, including head of the Council of Experts and interim Prime Minister respectively.
Ali Baheri Kani was aligned with Qassam Soleimani and the Quds Force, claiming in 2020 that many countries across the region owe their independence and sovereignty to their work.
Ali Bagheri Kani was the lead negotiator for Iran in the 2023 prisoner release deal.
Ali Bagheri Kani can be understood as a continuity candidate, who will likely continue the hardline policies of the now deceased Amir-Abdollahian.
Ali Bagheri Kani has been serving as Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs since 2021, having previously served as Deputy Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council between 2007-13.
Whilst at the Supreme National Security Council, Ali Bagheri Kani played a central role in early nuclear talks, adopting a similar position to his predecessor Amir-Abdollahanian that Iran's nuclear program strengthened Iran's diplomatic hand, and forced America to deal with Iran as an equal.
He would go on to serve as Iran's chief nuclear negotiator in the JCPOA talks in Vienna.
Unlike Amir-Abdollahian, who grew up in one of Tehran's poorest neighbourhoods, Ali Bagheri Kani, born in 1967, had a relatively privileged upbringing. He received a PhD in economics from the prestigous Imam Sadegh University, which is often seen as an incubator for many regime elites.
His father and uncle both held senior positions in the Iranian government, including head of the Council of Experts and interim Prime Minister respectively.
Ali Baheri Kani was aligned with Qassam Soleimani and the Quds Force, claiming in 2020 that many countries across the region owe their independence and sovereignty to their work.
Ali Bagheri Kani was the lead negotiator for Iran in the 2023 prisoner release deal.
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