Pezeshkian appoints Mohsen Rezaei as new SNSC secretary

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has appointed Mohsen Rezaei as the new secretary of the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), according to a decree issued on Sunday. Rezaei succeeds Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, who had been appointed as a political advisor to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution earlier the same day.

The announcement was made by Mehdi Tabatabaei, a spokesperson for the Iranian president’s office. Tabatabaei confirmed that Zolghadr stepped down from the position to assume his new responsibility. Zolghadr had served as the secretary of the SNSC since March 2026.

Mohsen Rezaei is a prominent Iranian political and military figure. He previously served as the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) from 1981 to 1997 and has held various political positions, including secretary of the Expediency Discernment Council. His appointment to the SNSC comes amid ongoing regional and international developments.

The Supreme National Security Council is a key body in Iran’s political and security structure, responsible for formulating policies related to national security, defense, and foreign affairs. The council is chaired by the president and includes senior military, political, and judicial officials.

According to Mehr News Agency, the decree was issued on Sunday, and the transition of responsibilities is expected to take place in the coming days. The report added that Zolghadr’s new role as political advisor to the Leader will involve providing counsel on political matters.