Ali Shamkhani: The Career of Khamenei's Powerful Advisor

A video leak of the 'Western-style' wedding of the daughter of Ali Shamkhani, a close advisor to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has sparked strong reactions in Iran. The incident brings to the forefront the career of Shamkhani, one of the most powerful politicians in Iran.

At 69 years old, Shamkhani has served as the secretary of the Supreme National Security Council and is now a senior advisor to Khamenei. Of Arab descent, he played a significant role in restoring relations with Saudi Arabia.

With tenures in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the regular army (Artesh), and the Ministry of Defense, his influence increased after the death of Qassem Soleimani. In 1988, he became Minister of the Guards. In June, he was injured in an Israeli raid in Tehran.

Under Mohammad Khatami, he served as Minister of Defense. In 2013, under Hassan Rouhani, he returned as secretary of the Supreme National Security Council. After the US withdrawal from the JCPOA, he hinted that Iran should not have signed the agreement.

In May 2023, he was replaced by Ali Akbar Ahmadian, taking on the role of advisor to Khamenei.