Iran has appointed veteran commander Mohsen Rezaee as secretary of the Supreme National Security Council. His appointment brings an experienced military figure back into one of Tehran’s most sensitive security positions.
President Masoud Pezeshkian issued the appointment decree on Sunday, replacing Mohammad Bagher Zolqadr. Zolqadr had served as council secretary since March 2026 before stepping down to take on another responsibility.
Meanwhile, Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei formally approved Rezaee’s appointment. The decision cited his extensive experience during Iran’s eight-year war with Iraq in the 1980s.
Rezaei has spent more than five decades working across Iran’s military, political, intelligence, and economic institutions. He became involved in political activities against the Pahlavi monarchy as a teenager before joining revolutionary organizations.
Following the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Rezaee helped establish the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps intelligence organization. He later became IRGC commander in 1981 at just 27 years old.
During his 16-year command, Rezaee oversaw major military operations during the Iran-Iraq War. His tenure also included the expansion of major IRGC institutions and military structures.
After leaving the IRGC in 1997, he became secretary of the Expediency Council. He remained in that position for more than two decades, focusing increasingly on economic and strategic policymaking.
Rezaee later entered electoral politics and contested Iran’s presidential elections four times. In 2021, President Ebrahim Raisi appointed him vice president for economic affairs.
More recently, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei appointed Rezaee as his military adviser in March 2026. His latest promotion therefore strengthens his return to Iran’s national security establishment.
The United States Treasury sanctioned Rezaee in 2020, citing his involvement in Iran’s political and security structures. Additionally, he holds three Gold Fat’h Medals, the highest number awarded to an Iranian commander.
Now, his new position comes as Iran faces significant regional security challenges and continuing tensions with Washington. Consequently, his military experience could influence Tehran’s security planning and diplomatic strategy.
Rezaee’s appointment may also signal greater emphasis on military expertise within Iran’s national security decision-making. His next priorities will likely include regional security, foreign policy coordination, and managing emerging strategic threats.