While President Trump’s war aims have changed by the moment, Iran has stuck to firm demands. The question is whether it will compromise in peace negotiations.
As Iran’s top national security official, Mr. Larijani had a reputation for acting as a bridge between hard-line figures in the armed forces and more moderate political factions.
Ali Larijani, the head of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council and a close confidant of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said Iran was determined to avenge the killing of the leader.
President Trump’s embrace of military action in Iran was spurred by an Israeli leader determined to end diplomatic negotiations. Few of the president’s advisers voiced opposition.
Experts say that Iran’s clerical rulers may be too deeply entrenched for Iranians to topple them, and that the U.S. and Israeli strikes risk setting off deeper radicalization or violence.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has entrusted Ali Larijani, the top national security official, to ensure the Islamic Republic endures any military attacks and targeted killings.
Many in Iran are gaining brief and unexplained windows of online connectivity, offering a widening glimpse of the extent of the government crackdown.
Rear Adm. Ali Shamkhani oversaw a brutal crackdown on women, but traditional notions of Islamic morality were little on display at his daughter’s wedding.
Israel was able to track the movements of key Iranian figures and assassinate them during the 12-day war this spring by following the cellphones carried by members of their security forces.
Israel was able to track the movements of key Iranian figures and assassinate them during the 12-day war this spring by following the cellphones carried by members of their security forces.