The dismissal followed months of speculations and upheaval within the Iranian regime. Shamkhani, a significant figure with close ties to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, hinted at his departure with a cryptic tweet last week, leading to an official announcement within 24 hours. This development sparked interest due to the pivotal role the SNSC plays in Iran’s governance, overseeing everything from foreign policy to domestic unrest, and reporting directly to Khamenei.