TEHRAN - Mehdi Sanaei, a former Iranian ambassador and parliamentarian, has been appointed as the chief of the presidential office for political affairs.

Sanaei was appointed to the post by Mohsen Haj Mirzaei, the chief of the presidential office.

In part of his decree released on Saturday, Mirzaei said it is expected that through close cooperation with the three ministries of foreign affairs, intelligence and interior to “study political, social and security issues, regulate related programs, provide reports and suggest proper proposals and follow their implementations.”

Mehdi Sanaei, an associate professor of international relations at the University of Tehran, served as Iran’s ambassador to Russia and represented the western city of Nahavand in the parliament for two terms.

Considered a Russia expert, he speaks Russian, English and Arabic.