Iranian politician Ali Larijani has solidified his position as the nation's most influential power broker following the air strikes that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Larijani, a veteran establishment insider and Khamenei loyalist, was appointed Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) in August and now manages critical portfolios including nuclear negotiations and regional security. His pragmatic approach, demonstrated by recent trips to Moscow and Beijing to advance talks, contrasts with his controversial role in the January crackdown on protests, for which the U.S. sanctioned him. 25-year cooperation agreement with China highlights his diplomatic reach, while his past as nuclear negotiator underscores his centrality to Iran's nuclear program, which Tehran insists is peaceful despite Western concerns.