Iran Appoints Rezaei as Top Security Council Secretary

Iran has reshuffled its top security leadership, appointing veteran Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander Mohsen Rezaei as Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council. The move, confirmed on August 9, 2026, places a figure with deep military and political experience at the helm of the country's most powerful decision-making body during a period of regional tension and domestic security challenges.

President Masoud Pezeshkian formally appointed Rezaei, 71, to the position following the resignation of his predecessor, Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr. Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei simultaneously designated Rezaei as his personal representative to the council, a dual mandate that underscores the significance of the appointment. Zolghadr, who had served as council secretary since March 2026, has been named the Supreme Leader's political advisor, a role that retains his experience within the leadership structure.

Rezaei's career is closely intertwined with the history of the Islamic Republic. He commanded the IRGC from 1981 to 1997, a period that encompassed the majority of the Iran-Iraq War and saw the force evolve into a major military institution. He has also served on the...