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Iran's Nuclear Negotiator Quits

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 20, 2007 8:58 AM CDT

(Newser) – Iran's chief nuclear negotiator has resigned, the Iranian government said today, in a move seen as signaling a hardening of Tehran's nuclear stance. Ali Larijani  was said to be more committed to finding a diplomatic resolution to Iran's nuclear standoff with the West than Iranian President  Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. He was replaced by Saeed Jalili, a little-known foreign deputy, the AP reports.

Larijani's resignation is interpreted as a sign that Ayatollah Khamenei, Iran's supreme leader, now fully supports Ahmadinejad's hard-line nuclear posture, the BBC says. Given the inexperience of Larijani's successor and his close association with Ahmadinejad, it is expected his public views will largely be dictated by the president.

Newly appointed Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security council, Saeed Jalili, is seen in this undated file photo in Tehran. The Iranian government announced Saturday that its top nuclear negotiator had resigned, a move seen as a victory for hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad that could bring about an even tougher...
Newly appointed Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security council, Saeed Jalili, is seen in this undated file photo in Tehran. The Iranian government announced Saturday that its top nuclear negotiator...   (Associated Press)
Iran's top nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani, who is also Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, speaks with media during a press conference in Tehran, Iran, Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2007. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
Iran's top nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani, who is also Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, speaks with media during a press conference in Tehran, Iran, Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2007. (AP...   (Associated Press)
Newly appointed Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security council, Saeed Jalili, right, talks with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, left, in Tehran, in this undated file photo. The Iranian government announced Saturday that its top nuclear negotiator had resigned, a move seen as a victory for hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad that...
Newly appointed Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security council, Saeed Jalili, right, talks with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, left, in Tehran, in this undated file photo. The Iranian government...   (Associated Press)
Iran's top nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani, who is also Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, speaks with media during a press conference in Tehran, Iran, Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2007. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
Iran's top nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani, who is also Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, speaks with media during a press conference in Tehran, Iran, Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2007. (AP...   (Associated Press)
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