Ali Akbar Velayati
Iran
Islamic Coalition
Foreign Affairs Minister of Iran
government
Ali Akbar Velayati is an Iranian principlist politician and physician. He is currently a member of the Expediency Discernment Council. Velayati is a distinguished professor at Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, senior adviser to the Supreme Leader in international affairs and head of the board of founders and the board of trustees of the Islamic Azad University.
Standing...
Stories...
Aug 18, 2026
Far Right
Advisor to the Supreme Leader, his remarks on the necessity of strengthening the Velayat-e Faqih are highlighted in Kayhan.
As a key Principlist figure, he reinforces the ideological supremacy of the Guardian Jurist, opposing any Reformist attempts to dilute the system.
Jul 22, 2026
Lean Left
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Jul 4, 2026
Center
Head of the Permanent Secretariat of the World Assembly of Islamic Awakening called for massive participation in Khamenei's funeral.
Pragmatists see Velayati as a regime insider pushing for unity, but also worry his hardline base may dominate the succession narrative.
Jul 3, 2026
Center
Head of the Permanent Council of the World Islamic Awakening, who called for mass participation in Khamenei's funeral.
Velayati's influence in hardline circles makes his support crucial for legitimizing the succession process.