Iran names Rezaei as top security chief

Iran has appointed veteran Revolutionary Guards commander Mohsen Rezaei as secretary of its Supreme National Security Council, marking a significant shift in the country’s security leadership amid ongoing talks with Oman over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Rezaei replaces Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, a former Guards commander who had held the powerful position since March but has since been reassigned to a political advisory role under Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei.

Rezaei, who commanded the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps from 1981 to 1997, will also serve as the supreme leader’s representative on the council, placing him at the center of decisions concerning national defense, foreign policy, and the dispute surrounding the Strait of Hormuz. The Supreme National Security Council, chaired by President Masoud Pezeshkian, brings together key government, military, and intelligence officials, though ultimate authority rests with the supreme leader.

Rezaei’s appointment comes at a critical juncture, as negotiations with Oman aim to establish shipping arrangements through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital energy corridor disrupted by months of conflict. Iran seeks oversight of inbound and outbound shipping lanes without imposing tolls or charges, while insisting on broader demands such as sanctions relief, compensation for wartime damage, and an end to military threats against Iran and its allies.

The appointment of Rezaei, known for his hard-line stance and ties to Iran’s security establishment, adds an element of uncertainty to the negotiations. The turnover reflects the impact of ongoing warfare on Iran’s political and security institutions, with senior officials, including Zolghadr, being reassigned due to the pressures of the conflict.