Iranian Acting FM Denies Transfer of Nuclear Case to Leader’s Advisor

Ali Bagheri Kani, Iran's acting Foreign Minister, denied reports that the nuclear file had been handed over to Ali Shamkhani, an advisor to the Iranian leader.

"We have no such thing as a file in the nuclear discussion. Nuclear activities continue within the framework of the system's policies under the supervision of the Supreme National Security Council," Bagheri Kani stated.

The acting foreign minister emphasized that nuclear activities are managed under the Supreme National Security Council, despite unofficial reports suggesting Shamkhani took over the management of the nuclear file. 

Shamkhani, who oversaw nuclear talks during former President Hassan Rouhani's tenure, served as Secretary General of the Supreme National Security Council for a decade.

On Monday, Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani responded ambiguously to questions about Shamkhani’s alleged new role, saying, "I have no specific comment on this matter." His vague response has been interpreted by many domestic media outlets as a tacit confirmation of the reports.

Bagheri Kani also addressed journalists about the ongoing indirect negotiations and message exchanges between Iran and the United States, stating, "Message exchanges continue as before, and there has been no interruption in the process."

Reports of Ali Shamkhani's appointment come in the wake of an Axios news article revealing that indirect negotiations took place on May 18 between Iranian and US officials in Muscat. According to informed sources quoted by Axios, this round of talks was the first since January and included Brett McGurk, advisor to the US President for Middle East affairs, and Abram Paley, the US special envoy to Iran.

The website did not disclose the identities of the Iranian officials involved in the discussions, which focused on addressing US concerns about the status of Iran's nuclear program.