Spokesperson for Foreign Ministry Refuses to Comment on 'Shamkhani's Role in Nuclear Case'

The spokesperson for the Islamic Republic of Iran's Foreign Ministry refrained from commenting on reports regarding the assignment of Iran's nuclear case to Ali Shamkhani, the former Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council. Nasser Kan'ani stated on Tuesday, June 7, in a conversation with reporters, 'I have no specific points to present regarding the indirect claims in some networks.' These remarks come in response to unofficial reports suggesting that Shamkhani has been in charge of the nuclear file since Farvardin (March-April) of this year. The spokesperson further noted, without denying the news, that negotiations to lift sanctions are being conducted 'under the oversight and guidance of senior officials of the system,' and the negotiating team will 'continue its consultations in order to lift sanctions.' Ali Shamkhani served as Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council for ten years until last June, after which Ali Akbar Ahmadian, an admiral in the Revolutionary Guard, took over the position. The news of the nuclear file being handed to Shamkhani follows a report by Axios on May 28, citing 'two informed sources' that two senior officials of the Biden administration indirectly discussed how to prevent escalation of regional conflicts with Iranian officials in Oman. Axios states it is unclear who represented Iran in this round of negotiations. Iran confirmed the indirect negotiations with Washington in Oman. The Islamic Republic's mission to the United Nations confirmed this report a day later. Ali Bagheri Kani, who has become the acting Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic following the death of Hossein Amirabdollahian in a helicopter crash on May 30, is responsible for Iran's nuclear negotiations. Some social media users have noted that Shamkhani has been in charge of this file since Farvardin and that the mention of his name in recent days is related to the upcoming presidential elections following the death of Raisi. The early presidential elections in Iran are scheduled for July 8, following the death of Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash. While several figures affiliated with the Islamic Republic have announced their readiness to run in this election, there has yet to be any report of Shamkhani's potential candidacy.