Khamenei’s foreign policy adviser turns to the right

Ever since the passing of prominent Iranian politician Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani in January, Ali Akbar Velayati has been attempting to earn the approval of radical Principlists in hopes of presenting himself as the Principlist option.

Velayati is a veteran politician — he held the longest tenure as foreign minister in the history of the Islamic Republic, serving in that position from 1981 to 1997. His long-time presence on the political stage alongside Rafsanjani resulted in many considering him an ally of the latter. Even during the 2013 presidential debates — although Velayati was one of the three Principlist candidates alongside Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Gholam-Ali Haddad-Adel — he attacked not only Ghalibaf but also hard-line candidate Saeed Jalili. These actions were of great aid to moderate Hassan Rouhani, who eventually emerged as the winner of that vote. While supported by traditional Principlists, Velayati apparently had chosen to form an unofficial coalition with Rouhani in a move that was perhaps premeditated. Indeed, he never criticized Rouhani during the debates and instead focused his attacks on Jalili and the way he had conducted prior negotiations with world powers over Iran’s nuclear program. Ultimately, these actions resulted in many considering him an agent of Rafsanjani dispatched to play a particular role during the elections. As a result, the Reformists were content with Velayati while the Principlists were furious.

Two months after Rouhani’s inauguration in 2013, Rafsanjani appointed Velayati as the head of the Center for Strategic Research. The think tank, which operates under the Expediency Council, had, until the elections, been headed by Rouhani. Principlists saw this as Velayati being rewarded for his actions during the campaigning.

In this vein, Velayati — who also serves as the supreme leader's foreign policy adviser — was very supportive of Rouhani during Iran’s nuclear negotiations with the six world powers. He gave numerous speeches and interviews in support of Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and his colleagues, and he responded to all the criticisms against them coming from the Principlist camp. His support was particularly notable considering his advisory position to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. But this is not the end of the story of Velayati’s participation in Iranian politics.