Iran Appoints Former Revolutionary Guards Commander Hossein Razai as Supreme National Security Council Secretary

Hossein Razai, a senior Iranian figure and former commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), has been appointed secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council. The announcement was made on August 9 by Mehdi Tabatabai, communications aide to Iran's president, following the resignation of Mohammad Baqer Zolqadr, who recently took on a new role as political advisor to Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. Zolqadr had been appointed to the council secretary position only in March after the assassination of Ali Larijani.

The Supreme National Security Council is a key body responsible for coordinating Iran's security, foreign policy, and military strategies, comprising senior military, intelligence, and government officials alongside representatives of the Supreme Leader, who holds ultimate authority. Earlier reports confirmed Razai would represent Khamenei on the council, while Zolqadr would serve as his political advisor.

Razai is a well-known hardliner with a 16-year tenure commanding the IRGC and a close association with the Khamanei family, having served as an advisor to Ali Khamenei and mentored Mojtaba Khamenei. He is noted for his frequent threats against the United States, including recent warnings about Iran's response to ongoing maritime blockades.

Security expert Danny Strenovich, formerly head of Iran research at Israeli Military Intelligence and now a senior fellow at the INSS, suggested Razai's appointment reflects Khamenei's intent to strengthen his grip on the council, which had lost influence. Strenovich noted possible dissatisfaction with Zolqadr's performance and hinted at internal power dynamics shaping the leadership. He also emphasized that Razai's IRGC background will reinforce ties between the Guards and the council.

Zolqadr's move to become Khamenei's advisor is seen as a strategy to keep him close and maintain internal cohesion, a method previously used by Ali Khamenei to manage senior officials. While it remains uncertain if this leadership change will affect Iran's stance toward negotiations with the U.S., analysts believe the council's role and influence are likely to be revitalized under Razai's leadership.