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.
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Oct 5, 2026
Far Right
Not directly cited, but the Supreme Leader's foreign policy adviser's consistent anti-Western line echoes in Kayhan's international coverage.
Principlists value Velayati's experience in framing Iran's resistance diplomacy, particularly as the West faces internal crises.
Oct 3, 2026
Center
Sent a condolence message to Foreign Minister Araghchi.
Pragmatists view him as a veteran conservative diplomat whose influence still shapes foreign policy messaging, often complicating pragmatic outreach to the West.
Sep 12, 2026
Lean Right
Not directly cited in the articles, but as a senior adviser to the Supreme Leader, he often appears in conservative media defending the resistance front and rejecting negotiations with the West.
Conservatives view Velayati as a reliable voice of revolutionary steadfastness, consistently warning against concessions to the U.S. and defending Iran's regional strategy.
Sep 2, 2026
Lean Left
Not mentioned in articles but relevant as a senior foreign policy advisor; his stance affects Russia and Japan tensions indirectly.
Moderates watch his statements to gauge the Supreme Leader's tolerance for diplomatic openings, especially amid global tensions.
Aug 28, 2026
Center
Not mentioned directly, but as a senior foreign policy advisor and a moderate-conservative voice, he often comments on diplomatic initiatives like Araghchi's UN letter.
Pragmatists watch Velayati to see if he will back Araghchi's outreach to the UN or side with hardliners who reject any compromise with the West, as his position could signal the balance within the establishment.
Aug 19, 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.