Mohsen Rezaei, who commanded the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) for 16 years, was appointed secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council and personal representative of Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, according to the Jerusalem Center for Foreign and Security Affairs' Iran Desk. Days before the appointment, Rezaei opposed opening an additional shipping lane in the Strait of Hormuz and warned against the entry of American vessels.
Mohsen Rezaei, the former commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) who led the organization for 16 years, has been appointed secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council and personal representative of Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei in the council. The appointment, reported by the Jerusalem Center for Foreign and Security Affairs' Iran Desk, comes as negotiations with Oman over regulating passage through the Strait of Hormuz approach a decisive stage.
Days before his appointment, Rezaei publicly opposed opening an additional shipping lane in the strait and warned against the entry of American vessels and forces. Analysts cited by the Jerusalem Center assess that Rezaei's security background could paradoxically allow him to grant legitimacy to a temporary arrangement within the conservative camp, framing it as an achievement of Iranian deterrence rather than a concession to American pressure.
The appointment shifts the center of gravity from the question of where ships will pass to who will authorize passage and under what conditions, according to the analysis. Iran's Strait of Hormuz blockade, in place since March 2026, has been a central lever in Tehran's confrontation with the United States and Israel. The Zioneer has previously reported on Rezaei's warnings regarding US violations of the Islamabad Agreement, as well as the IRGC's formalization of transit fees on vessels passing through the strait.
- DevelopingIran appoints former IRGC commander Mohsen Rezaei to top security post amid Hormuz talks
- StrongIranian media outlet profiles Mohsen Rezaei as 'most failed figure' in regime's power pyramid
- DevelopingMohsen Rezaei warns US ships face 'significant dangers and casualties' if second Hormuz route opened
- DevelopingPakistan's interior minister meets Iran's new security chief in Tehran
Source and signal
A single-sourced dispatch is never rated Confirmed or Strong. Its Signal strengthens only when a second, independent source corroborates it.
- Open-source intake