Senior IRGC figure who often threatens: this is the Khamenei confidant appointed to Iran's top security post
Mohsen Rezaei, former commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and adviser to the Supreme Leader, has been appointed secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council. The appointment was announced by Iranian President's aide Mehdi Tabatabai, following the resignation of Mohammad Bagher Zol-Qadr, who had held the post only since March. Rezaei, known for frequent threats, said last week that Iran would not stand idly by if the US does not change its behavior. The council is responsible for coordinating security and foreign policy, and its members include senior military officials and representatives of the Supreme Leader.
Mohsen Rezaei, former commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and adviser to the Supreme Leader, has been appointed secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council. The appointment was announced this evening (Sunday) by Mehdi Tabatabai, the Iranian president's media aide, who said Rezaei was appointed by presidential decree following the resignation of Mohammad Bagher Zol-Qadr, who took on a new responsibility. Zol-Qadr had been appointed to the post only last March, after the elimination of Ali Larijani. The council is responsible for coordinating Iran's security and foreign policy, and its members include senior military, intelligence, and government officials, along with representatives of the Supreme Leader. Rezaei, a veteran figure with a background of 16 years as IRGC commander, frequently threatens; last week he said that if the US does not change its behavior, Iranian forces will not stand idly by while the naval blockade continues. Danny Strinovich, former head of the Iran branch in IDF Military Intelligence, assessed that the appointment aims to consolidate Khamenei's grip on the council, and that there may have been disappointment with Zol-Qadr's performance. Strinovich noted that Rezaei was an adviser to Ali Khamenei and 'mentored' Mojtaba, and that Zol-Qadr will remain close as a political adviser.