Iran hierarchy consolidation as IRGC veteran tapped for key security role
The office of the supreme leader has named a new security chief and established war commanders in influential roles. Tehran, Iran – The office of
The office of the supreme leader has named a new security chief and established war commanders in influential roles. Tehran, Iran – The office of Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has announced a series of new appointments in key positions, including the naming of a former wartime commander and longtime political insider to helm the country’s top security body. Mohsen Rezaee, who was commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) for 16 years, including during years of war with Iraq in the 1980s, was named secretary of the Supreme Security Council (SNSC) and Khamenei’s representative in the top decision-making body on Sunday. Six new military positions were also officially filled on Monday, with Ali Abdollahi, head of Iran’s joint war command, appointed as the new chief of staff of the armed forces and Ali Ozmaei named as the head of the IRGC Navy. Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi was also confirmed as commander-in-chief of the IRGC “with the rank of major general”, officially succeeding Mohammad Pakpour, who was killed during the opening salvo of the US-Israel war on Iran in late Feburary. Sina Azodi, assistant professor of Middle East Politics at the George Washington University, said the appointments signalled no softening in negotiations with the United States. “There is little question that Khamenei, Vahidi and the IRGC leadership all share the view that continued resistance to the US is strategically necessary,” Azodi told Al Jazeera. He said Rezaee brings deep institutional experience and considerable authority among both senior IRGC commanders and the rank-and-file. “His appointment therefore appears intended to strengthen internal cohesion, reinforce the leadership’s control over the organisation, and draw on the experience of a figure who helped shape the IRGC into the military and political institution it is today,” added Azodi. Rezaee used to be the secretary of the Expediency Council, another top state arbitration body, as he increasingly turned to politics and macroeconomics after the end of the grinding Iraq war that left hundreds of thousands killed. The 71-year-old also helped develop a long-term national development plan and was given high-level economic coordination authorities during the Ebrahim Raisi presidency between 2021 and 2024. But he has never held elected office, having run for president unsuccessfully four times.
Rezaee made a comeback in military uniform during the ongoing conflict, becoming military adviser to the supreme leader just over a week after Mojtaba Khamenei replaced his assassinated father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on the first day of the war. Since then, he has projected a message of defiance and resilience to the US, Israel and regional actors during interviews with media and posts online. Rezaee also expressed opposition to the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed with the US in June, which temporarily lifted a naval blockade and suspended oil sanctions to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. He argued that his position was closer to that of Mojtaba Khamenei, who ended up approving the MoU despite stated reservations. “I ask friends who are against negotiations to wait, the Americans will destroy it themselves and won’t let it lead to any results,” he said in early July, shortly before the agreement ended up being suspended following the resumption of attacks. Last week, he said the US must change its behaviour, or face serious risks and casualties to its forces. Iran “will never permit the opening of a second corridor in the Strait of Hormuz”, he said. State-linked outlets said 12 out of 13 voting members of Iran’s Supreme Security Council were in favour of the MoU, with ultraconservative Saeed Jalili standing as the only opposing member. But a number of hardline MPs, media and supporters of the Islamic Republic blasted the agreement as they believe the strait should not have been allowed to reopen until the US gives more concessions. The SNSC brings together Iran’s presidency, foreign ministry, armed forces and security and intelligence organisations, and also coordinates communication with the office of the supreme leader, which has to give final approval on decisions. Local media had reported in recent days that Rezaee might soon be assuming the top security position, with some saying President Masoud Pezeshkian was resisting the appointment by initially rejecting a resignation from former security chief Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr. Zolghadr – himself among the IRGC old guard and a relatively hardline but pragmatic figure, although with less seniority and political connections compared to Rezaee – was eventually replaced.
The BriefWire