Iran appoints former IRGC chief to top security post

Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has named former Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander Mohsen Rezaee as secretary of the Supreme National Security Council. Rezaee will also serve as Khamenei’s representative on the council, placing him at the centre of Iran’s security and defence decision-making. He succeeds Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, who took over the position after US-Israeli attacks assassinated Ali Larijani in March. Rezaee previously commanded the IRGC and currently sits on Iran’s Expediency Discernment Council. The body mediates disputes between parliament and the Guardian Council, which reviews legislation and vets candidates seeking public office. The veteran commander played a leading military role during the Iran-Iraq War of the 1980s. Khamenei appointed Zolghadr as his political adviser as part of the leadership reshuffle. In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the MercifulDr. Mohsen RezaeeConsidering your valuable experience, I am hereby appointing you, who were one of the first commanders in the triumphant 8-Year Sacred Defense, to be my representative in the Supreme National Security Council.— Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei (@MKhamenei_ir) August 9, 2026