Mohammed Eslami lacks the nuclear-specific diplomatic and technical expertise of his 72-year-old predecessor, whose close personal relationship with his then-U.S. counterpart Ernest Moniz — a nuclear physicist who taught at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, significantly helped seal the terms of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.
Mohammed Eslami lacks the nuclear-specific diplomatic and technical expertise of his 72-year-old predecessor, whose close personal relationship with his then-U.S. counterpart Ernest Moniz — a nuclear physicist who taught at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, significantly helped seal the terms of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.
What Happened: Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi issued a decree appointing Mohammed Eslami the new head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, replacing veteran nuclear scientist Ali Akbar Salehi, the Tehran Times reported Aug. 29.
Why It Matters: Eslami lacks the nuclear-specific diplomatic and technical expertise of his 72-year-old predecessor, whose close personal relationship with his then-U.S. counterpart Ernest Moniz — a nuclear physicist who taught at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (where Salehi received his doctorate in nuclear engineering) — significantly helped seal the terms of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. Eslami, by contrast, is unlikely to foster such a close relationship with current U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm (another political appointee who formerly served as the governor of Michigan). This indicates Tehran will not be as willing to engage in deeper negotiation if/when U.S.-Iran nuclear talks resume.
Background: Eslami has a long history of working in Iran’s defense and engineering industry, and previously served as former President Hassan Rouhani’s transportation minister. His predecessor Salehi has been active in Iran’s nuclear sector — particularly from a diplomatic standpoint — for the past 40 years.