Publication

In December 2010, Iranian Foreign Minister Manuchehr Mottaki was dismissed due to President Mahmood Ahmedinejad's personnel policy. The author argues that with this move, Ahmedinejad is aiming to secure his political position, and also gain more influence over Iran's foreign policy apparatus. However, it also signals a new de-escalating style of diplomacy as the Iranians hope to create a positive political atmosphere in the run-up to the January 2011 nuclear negotiations.