Khamenei Tightens Ranks Ahead of Next Phase: Dramatic Appointment at the Top of Iran

Mojtaba Khamenei is carrying out a reorganization of Iran's security establishment: Mohsen Rezaei has been appointed secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, and senior officials in the army, the Revolutionary Guards, and the Basij have been replaced. According to a report by Amwaj.media, the move places Rezaei at the center of strategic decision-making, amid what Iran defines as a hybrid war and pressure from the West. The appointment has sparked tensions in the conservative parliament, but the parliament's presidency clarified that the secretary acts in an institutional capacity.

Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran's supreme leader, is carrying out a comprehensive reorganization of the country's security and military establishment. As part of the changes, Mohsen Rezaei, a former commander of the Revolutionary Guards, has been appointed secretary of the Supreme National Security Council. In parallel, senior officials in the army, the Revolutionary Guards, and the Basij have been replaced. According to a report by the news site Amwaj.media, the move places Rezaei at the center of strategic decision-making of the Islamic Republic, amid what Iran defines as an ongoing 'hybrid war' and economic, psychological, and military pressure from the West. The site 'Noor News', close to the Iranian establishment, rejected claims that Zolqadr was dismissed due to dissatisfaction, explaining that the change aims to lead to better integration among the various institutions. Rezaei's appointment has stirred echoes and tensions within Iran; in the conservative parliament, voices were heard trying to challenge the council, but the parliament's presidency clarified that the secretary acts in an institutional capacity. Commentators note that Rezaei's hawkish positions, who in the past proposed taking thousands of American soldiers hostage and demanding a billion dollars for each, align with the hardline line the regime seeks to project. The reorganization indicates that the leadership is preparing for the next phase in the confrontation with the United States and Israel, while tightening control and coordination among the military, intelligence, and government institutions.