Mohsen Rezaei Appointed Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council

Mohsen Rezaei has been appointed as the secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, as announced by the Iranian presidency on Sunday. This change follows the resignation of Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, who has been appointed to new functions. The announcement was made by presidency spokesman Mehdi Tabatabaei through a social media post.

Rezaei, who is 71 years old, previously commanded the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) from 1981 to 1997, a period that encompassed the Iran-Iraq war. He has held various high-level political roles and has served as a military adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei.

In his new role, Rezaei succeeds Zolghadr, another former IRGC commander who had been leading the security council since March. An official statement from the supreme leader’s office confirmed Zolghadr's transition to a position as political adviser to Khamenei.

Rezaei is known for his hardline views, particularly regarding the United States. He recently issued a warning that continued US military actions could push Iran into a more aggressive stance, stating that the options of both war and negotiation are no longer viable. He emphasized that if US strikes persist, Iran's military response would extend beyond mere retaliation, potentially endangering US bases and personnel.

In previous statements, Rezaei has expressed skepticism about diplomatic negotiations with the US, accusing Washington of attempting to sabotage talks. He highlighted the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz, asserting that maintaining control over it is more critical than possessing numerous nuclear weapons. His comments reflect a broader sentiment within Iran regarding the challenges of engaging with the US in negotiations.