Major Reshuffle in Iran's Security Council
Mohsen Rezaei.. Photo: Reuters.
As the Strait of Hormuz route remains nearly closed after five months of war, and as talks continue over reducing tensions and reaching a deal with the United States, Tehran has introduced a major change in its security structure.
The Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council—one of the country's most important coordinating bodies for security and foreign policy—has been replaced by former Revolutionary Guards commander Mohsen Rezaei. His appointment comes at a time when Iran's Foreign Minister has claimed that Iran and Oman are very close to reaching an agreement on opening a new maritime route through Hormuz.
The Deputy Director of Communications for President Masoud Pezeshkian announced the appointment on Saturday night.
Rezaei is known as a more outspoken and vocal political figure compared to his predecessor, Mohammad Baqer Zolqadr. However, no reason was given for the sudden change, and it is not immediately clear whether the new appointment will bring any change to Iran's policy or strategy.
Zolqadr had only been appointed as Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council at the end of March. Before him, the post was held by Ali Larijani. Larijani had been appointed after he was killed in an airstrike during the Iran-US-Israel war.
Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Saturday that Iran and Oman are in a "very close" position regarding the launch of a new naval route through the Strait of Hormuz. However, whether this vital waterway—which has been nearly closed during the five-month war—will reopen depends on several other conditions, including the issue of compensation to be paid to Iran by the United States.
Earlier, Zolqadr had also raised multiple demands to the US, including ending US threats against Iran, stopping aggression against Iran and its allies in Lebanon, Palestine, Yemen, and Iraq, lifting the blockade and sanctions on Iran, and releasing seized Iranian assets.
Although the Supreme National Security Council is officially led by the elected president, its role in critical decisions regarding the country's security and foreign policy is highly significant. The council includes military, intelligence, and top government officials, as well as representatives of the Supreme Leader. The final decision-making authority, however, rests with the Supreme Leader himself.
Who is Mohsen Rezaei?
The 71-year-old Mohsen Rezaei was the commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) from 1981 to 1997. He led the force for a major portion of the Iran-Iraq war.
Later, he served as Secretary of Iran's Expediency Discernment Council for over two decades. He also served as Vice President for Economic Affairs under hardline President Ebrahim Raisi from 2021 to 2023.
Although he holds a doctorate in economics from the University of Tehran, a major part of his career has been spent in key positions within Iran's security and political structure.
Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei also appointed him as his own representative to the Security Council on Saturday. In the same position, he will be joined by another hardline leader, Saeed Jalili. The appointment letter mentioned Rezaei's "valuable experiences," including his experiences during the Iran-Iraq war.
In the same order, Khamenei appointed former secretary Zolqadr as his political advisor.
