Archive · 10 Aug 2026
Iran Appoints War Hawk Mohsen Rezaei as Security Council Secretary
Iran is a country that is in the middle of a big conflict.
The country's leaders picked a new person to help make important security decisions.
His name is Mohsen Rezaei and he is 71 years old.
A long time ago, when he was just 27, he became the leader of Iran's Revolutionary Guard, a very powerful military group.
He is a close friend of Iran's top leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei.
Some people like Rezaei because he has a lot of experience, but others remember things he did in an old war that hurt many soldiers.
Rezaei does not want to stop the current fighting and is very doubtful about peace talks.
He also says America is not following the agreement meant to end the war.
The Supreme Leader chose him partly because of his 'valuable experience,' so now he helps decide Iran's next steps in the conflict.
Iran appointed 71-year-old Mohsen Rezaei as secretary of its Supreme National Security Council, replacing Mohammad Baqer Zolqadr.
Rezaei, a hardliner and close ally of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, commanded the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps for 16 years from age 27.
The appointment comes more than five months into the conflict with the United States, during which Rezaei has voiced deep scepticism about negotiations.
Iran signed a memorandum of understanding on June 17 aimed at ending the war, but on June 27 Rezaei accused Washington of violating it by creating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz.
Rezaei's Iran-Iraq war record remains controversial, with critics questioning his role in costly offensives such as Operation Karbala-4.
- Who
- Mohsen Rezaei, a 71-year-old hardliner, former IRGC commander and close ally of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei
- What
- Appointed secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, the body coordinating Iran's security and foreign policy, replacing Mohammad Baqer Zolqadr
- When
- Announced by a Supreme Leader decree on a Sunday, more than five months into the conflict with the United States (exact date not stated)
- Where
- Iran
- Why
- Khamenei cited Rezaei's 'valuable experience,' including his long military career
Critics
Supporters
Iran-Iraq war record
Critics
Critics question Rezaei's role in costly offensives that caused heavy Iranian casualties, including Operation Karbala-4 in December 1986; his 2018 comments on the operation drew criticism from veterans, bereaved families and senior political figures.
Supporters
Rezaei has said Karbala-4 was originally intended as a genuine offensive and that its failure was subsequently used as deception ahead of Karbala-5, presenting the operation as serving a strategic military purpose.
Ceasefire and negotiations
Critics
Iran signed a memorandum of understanding on June 17 aimed at ending the war, reflecting a path toward resolving the conflict through agreement; Rezaei said the deal had ambiguities that needed to be clarified.
Supporters
Rezaei said 'I am not in favour of extending the ceasefire at all,' voiced deep scepticism about negotiations, threatened the United States, and accused Washington of violating the deal over Strait of Hormuz tensions.
- Age
- 71
- New role
- Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council
- Predecessor
- Mohammad Baqer Zolqadr, appointed political adviser to Khamenei
- IRGC command
- 16 years, from age 27 in 1981
- Previous government role
- Vice president for economic affairs, 2021-2023
- Education
- Doctorate in economics, University of Tehran
- War-ending memorandum
- Signed by Iran on June 17
- Strait of Hormuz accusation
- Rezaei accused Washington of violating the deal on June 27