Archive · 10 Aug 2026
Khamenei appoints former IRGC commander Mohsen Rezaei to security council
Iran has an important group that helps keep the country safe, called the Supreme National Security Council.
The leader of Iran chose a new person to help run this group.
His name is Mohsen Rezaei, and he used to be a top commander in Iran's military group called the IRGC.
Rezaei led the IRGC for many years, from 1981 to 1997.
He was also one of the first commanders during a long war called the 8-Year Sacred Defense.
The old helper, Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, quit his job, so someone new was needed.
Some reports say the president chose Rezaei, while others say the Supreme Leader chose him.
At the same time, Iran is talking with a country called Oman about ships passing through a very important waterway called the Strait of Hormuz.
The leader of the United States, Donald Trump, says America is only 'semi-negotiating' with Iran, which means they are talking a little but not a lot.
Former Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander Mohsen Rezaei was appointed head of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), replacing Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, who resigned.
Reports differ on the appointing authority: the presidency spokesman said President Masoud Pezeshkian named Rezaei, while Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said on X that he appointed Rezaei as his representative to the SNSC.
Khamenei cited Rezaei's valuable experience, including as one of the first commanders during the 8-Year Sacred Defense.
Rezaei, 71, commanded the IRGC from 1981 to 1997, served as secretary of the Expediency Council, and was vice president for economic affairs under President Ebrahim Raisi from 2021.
The appointment came as Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi signaled a deal with Oman over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz was 'very close,' while US President Donald Trump said Washington was taking a 'low-key' approach.
- Who
- Former IRGC commander Mohsen Rezaei; Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian; US President Donald Trump
- What
- Rezaei was appointed head and secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, replacing the resigned Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, amid Strait of Hormuz shipping talks with Oman.
- When
- Sunday, 9 August
- Where
- Iran
- Why
- Zolghadr resigned; Khamenei cited Rezaei's experience, and the appointment came as Tehran signaled a possible deal with Oman over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
Tehran's stance
Washington's stance
Strait of Hormuz negotiations
Tehran's stance
Iran says an agreement with Oman over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz is 'very close' and rules out direct talks with Washington, demanding lifting of the US naval blockade, withdrawal of American forces, sanctions removal, unfreezing of Iranian assets and compensation for war-related damage.
Washington's stance
President Trump says Washington is opting for a 'low-key' approach, is 'only semi-negotiating' with Iran and is not eyeing fresh strikes, while pushing for a resolution allowing traffic to move freely through the Strait.
Direct talks between Iran and the US
Tehran's stance
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says there is no possibility of resuming negotiations as long as US violations of the June memorandum continue and the US does not make amends; messages are being exchanged through intermediaries.
Washington's stance
Trump describes the US as 'semi-negotiating' with Tehran and 'just watching Iran with its huge inflation and the fact they have no money.'
Rezaei's influence in the Iranian leadership
Tehran's stance
Rezaei is presented as a senior Iranian military and political figure and one of the most important IRGC veterans, appointed to lead a top national security body.
Washington's stance
United Against Nuclear Iran says Rezaei was in the orbit of insiders but was not considered a particularly close confidant or key decision-maker.
- Appointee
- Mohsen Rezaei (also spelled Mohsen Rezaee)
- New position
- Head/secretary of the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) and Supreme Leader's representative to the SNSC
- Predecessor
- Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr (resigned; became political adviser to the Supreme Leader)
- Appointing authority
- Conflicting reports - President Masoud Pezeshkian (per presidency spokesman Mehdi Tabatabaei) or Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei
- Announcement
- Sunday, 9 August; first confirmed by the state-run Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA)
- IRGC command tenure
- 1981-1997
- Previous roles
- Secretary of the Expediency Council; vice president for economic affairs under President Ebrahim Raisi (from 2021); unsuccessful presidential runs in 2009 and 2013
- Strait of Hormuz
- Iran says deal with Oman 'very close'; Tehran demands lifting the US naval blockade, withdrawing US forces, removing sanctions, unfreezing assets and war compensation
