Iran has appointed Mohsen Rezaei, a former commander of the Revolutionary Guards, as the new deputy secretary of the Supreme National Security Council. This body plays a crucial role in coordinating the nation’s security and foreign policy strategies. The appointment marks a significant shift in Iran’s political landscape, as Rezaei takes on responsibilities that could influence the country’s approach to both domestic and international issues.
Key Statements
Mr. Rezaei is more of an outspoken public figure than his predecessor, Mohammad Baqer Zolqadr. The appointment was announced late on Sunday (August 9, 2026) by President Masoud Pezeshkian’s deputy director of communications.
Political Context
No reason was given for the change and it was not immediately clear if it would herald any change in policy. The SNSC, formally chaired by the elected president, coordinates security and foreign policy, and includes top military, intelligence and government officials in addition to representatives of the supreme leader, who has ultimate say over all matters of state. Mr.
Rezaei, 71, commanded Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps from 1981 to 1997, including during much of the Iran-Iraq war. He later served as secretary of Iran’s Expediency Discernment Council for more than two decades and as vice president for economic affairs from 2021 to 2023 under hardline President Ebrahim Raisi.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Saturday (August 8) that Iran and Oman were “very close” to an agreement on a new shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz — which has been all but closed during five months of war — but reopening it would depend on other conditions, including U.S. compensation to Iran.
