Iran Appoints General Mohsen Rezaei as National Security Council Secretary

Iranian media reported that General Mohsen Rezaei, military advisor to the new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, has been appointed secretary of the Supreme National Security Council. If confirmed, Rezaei will replace Mohammad Baqer al-Qadr, who assumed the role following the assassination of Ali Larijani. However, official confirmation has not yet been issued, according to regime-affiliated journalist Mehrdad Khalili.

Rezaei previously commanded the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps for 16 years and was appointed as Mojtaba Khamenei's advisor in March. Known for his hardline views, he emphasizes Iran's need to maintain strict control over the Strait of Hormuz, calling this strategic position "more important than dozens of atomic bombs," and pledges Iran will defend it.

Rezaei has unsuccessfully sought top political offices, running for president in 2009 and 2013 and for parliament in 2000. He is wanted for involvement in the 1994 bombing of the Jewish community center in Buenos Aires, which killed 85 people and injured hundreds. The U.S. Treasury imposed personal sanctions on him on January 10, 2020.