Former Revolutionary Guard Chief Mohsen Rezaei Named Secretary of Iran’s Supreme Security Council
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has appointed Mohammad Reza Aref to the post of Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, ordering a personnel change within the Islamic Republic’s largest defense and foreign policy advisory platform.
The new official will be tasked with overseeing the security issues of the country as well as the controversial waters of the Strait of Hormuz. His predecessor Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr has left the post to take up the post of the Supreme Leader’s adviser.
The change in the country’s strategic advisory personnel is reported to have taken place amid growing concerns about the security of the waters of the Strait of Hormuz.
The new secretary of the council, Mohsen Rezaei, previously commanded the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps for sixteen years. His appointment consolidates oversight across military operations, foreign relations, and intelligence apparatuses amid ongoing international tensions.
Beyond his administrative mandate from the president, Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei designated Rezaei as his direct representative on the council. The 71-year-old official brings decades of institutional experience, having served on the Expediency Discernment Council and as vice president for economic affairs.
His elevated profile reinforces Tehran’s firm posture regarding defense policy and strategic waterways, where he has consistently advocated for uncompromising national sovereignty.
The high-level reshuffle represents the second major transition within the council’s secretariat in recent months, reflecting broader political adjustments across Iran’s national security leadership.
Observers note that Rezaei’s return into active defense planning aligns with efforts to stabilize institutional coordination across key government agencies. As secretary, he will manage the council’s agenda and coordinate high-stakes policy responses as Tehran navigates complex geopolitical dynamics across the Middle East.
