Inside Iran’s Preparations for War and Plans for Survival
The New York Times • • world
Key Points:
- In early January, amid nationwide protests and the threat of U.S. strikes, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei appointed Ali Larijani, a veteran politician and head of the Supreme National Security Council, to effectively run the country.
- Larijani has sidelined President Masoud Pezeshkian, who has struggled politically and publicly distanced himself from solving Iran’s complex problems.
- Larijani’s expanded role includes suppressing protests with lethal force, managing dissent, coordinating with allies like Russia and regional players such as Qatar and Oman, and overseeing nuclear negotiations with Washington.
- He is also preparing Iran for a potential war with the U.S., emphasizing readiness and strength while stating that Iran does
