Senior IRGC official known for threats appointed to key position in Iran
Mohsen Rezaee has been appointed Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council. The former IRGC commander, who served for 16 years, replaces Mohammad Baqer Zol-Qadr. Rezaee is known for his hardline stance against the US and is considered a close associate of Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei.
Senior Iranian official Mohsen Rezaee, formerly an advisor to Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, has been appointed Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council. The announcement was made by Mehdi Tabatabaei, the Iranian President's communications assistant, who stated that Rezaee was appointed by presidential decree following the resignation of Mohammad Baqer Zol-Qadr.
Zol-Qadr had held the position since March, following the elimination of Ali Larijani. The Council is a pivotal body in the Iranian regime, responsible for coordinating security and foreign policy. It includes senior military, intelligence, and government officials, with the Supreme Leader holding final authority over all state matters.
Rezaee is a veteran figure in the Iranian leadership, having served as commander of the IRGC for 16 years. He is known for his hawkish rhetoric; just last week, he warned that "Iranian forces will not stand idly by if the US does not change its behavior" regarding the ongoing naval blockade of Iran.
Dani Citrinowicz, a senior researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS), suggests that Rezaee’s appointment reflects Khamenei's desire to tighten his grip on the Council. "The Supreme National Security Council has lost some of its luster, and there is an attempt to revive it as a body that balances and assists the Supreme Leader in making sound decisions," Citrinowicz explained. He added that Rezaee’s background in the IRGC will likely strengthen the connection between the Guards and the Council, noting that Rezaee has long served as a mentor to Mojtaba Khamenei.
Regarding Zol-Qadr’s departure, Citrinowicz noted: "We cannot know what happened behind the scenes. It may be that he did not align with the current leadership's positions or that there were personal disagreements. Ultimately, the system is taking shape, and Khamenei’s method remains consistent: keep people close as advisors to prevent them from acting out and to maintain a sense of involvement in the system."
