Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has appointed former Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander Mohsen Rezaei as secretary of the Supreme National Security Council on August 9, according to Iranian state media. Rezaei replaces Mohammad Bagher Zolqadr, who has been named an adviser to Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei.
» Full compensation from the US for all damages
and US withdrawing from the Persian Gulf. «
Iran goes hardline.
Rezaei, who
commanded the IRGC for more than a decade, is a veteran military and
political figure. His appointment places an experienced security
official in a key role as Tehran manages its confrontation with
Washington and negotiations over the Strait of Hormuz.
Ali Larijani held Rezaei's post until he was killed in an Israeli strike
during the US-Israeli attacks on Iran earlier on March 16, 2026.
» The Strait of Hormuz will not be reopened. No American warship has the right to enter the Persian Gulf. The American presence in the Persian Gulf has been the primary cause of insecurity over the past 50 years. We will consider ending the war only after, first, we have received full compensation from the US for all damages. Second, we must obtain a 100% guarantee for the future, which is not possible without the US withdrawing from the Persian Gulf. «Mohsen Rezaei, March 16, 2026.
See also:
Nima R. Alkhorshid (August 10, 2026) - Iran's New Power Player: Who Is Mohsen Rezaei and What Does He Want? (video)
Alastair Crooke (August 10, 2026) - US Middle East Dominance is Ended. (video)