Iran's Supreme Leader Appoints Military Advisor to Top Security Council Post

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei has appointed his military advisor, Mohsen Rezai, to a key position within the country's top security body, signaling a potential consolidation of power by the old guard. Rezai, a veteran figure with a background in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), has been named secretary-general of the Supreme National Security Council.

The appointment, reported by Iran's state news agency IRNA, comes as Rezai, 72, receives his credentials from Khamenei. Khamenei cited Rezai's "valuable experience" as a pioneer who led Iran through the "proud eight years of the Iran-Iraq War." Presidential spokesperson Mehdi Tabatabai confirmed Rezai's appointment, stating it was made by President Masoud Pezeshkian.

While the president officially decides on the secretary-general, the Supreme Leader ultimately chooses the candidate. This move replaces Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, who had served in the role for about four months after succeeding Ali Larjani, who died in an Israeli airstrike. Khamenei appointed Zolghadr as his political advisor.

The Supreme National Security Council is a crucial decision-making body comprising high-ranking officials from the executive branch and military, including the president, parliamentary speaker, and IRGC commander. Rezai, who led the IRGC from 1981 to 1997, also ran for president in 2009, 2013, and 2021. Analysts suggest this appointment may be an effort to check the growing influence of Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who is known to be close to Zolghadr and recently led negotiations with the U.S. on a ceasefire agreement. This shift could indicate a strengthening of hardline factions within the regime.