Mohsen Rezaei Returns to Center of Iran's Security Power Structure
Former IRGC commander Mohsen Rezaei has been appointed secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, elevating his role in wartime decisions and nuclear diplomacy.
By Larissa Bell ·
Mohsen Rezaei, a former chief commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, has returned to the core of Iran's security establishment at a critical juncture in the nation's history. After leading the IRGC for 16 years and serving in another major state institution for nearly 24 years, Rezaei is now the secretary of the Supreme National Security Council. This position places him at the heart of decisions regarding the ongoing war, nuclear negotiations, and relations with foreign powers.
Rezaei's career spans nearly the entire history of the Islamic Republic. Born in 1954 in Masjed Soleyman, he became an anti-Shah activist as a teenager and was imprisoned by the SAVAK intelligence service in the early 1970s. Following the 1979 revolution, he helped establish the IRGC and was appointed its commander-in-chief by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in 1981 at the age of 27.
His tenure as IRGC commander lasted until 1997, a period that included the eight-year war with Iraq. Under his leadership, the force expanded its organizational capabilities and influence. However, his military record remains a subject of debate, particularly concerning Operation Karbala-4 in 1986. The offensive resulted in heavy Iranian casualties, and Rezaei later described it as a deception tactic to prepare for a subsequent attack, a claim that drew criticism from veterans and families of the fallen.
After leaving the military, Rezaei served as secretary of the Expediency Discernment Council until 2021. During this time, he ran for president four times without success, struggling to build a broad electoral base. His most recent electoral bid in 2021 saw him receive about 3.4 million votes, finishing behind Ebrahim Raisi. He also served as vice president for economic affairs from 2021 to 2023, a role that did little to alter his reputation for unconventional economic ideas.
Internationally, Rezaei is often associated with the 1994 AMIA bombing in Buenos Aires, which killed 85 people. Argentine prosecutors accused him and other senior Iranian officials of involvement, leading Interpol to issue a Red Notice in 2007. The notice remains in force, though Rezaei and Iranian authorities have consistently denied the allegations.
His return to the center of power accelerated in 2026 following the killing of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in US-Israeli strikes. His son, Mojtaba Khamenei, was appointed as the new supreme leader and named Rezaei as his military adviser in March. In August, Mojtaba Khamenei appointed Rezaei as his representative on the Supreme National Security Council, and President Masud Pezeshkian subsequently named him secretary of the council, replacing Mohammad Bagher Zolqadr.
The appointment has shifted diplomatic dynamics. In late October, US Vice President JD Vance sent a letter to Rezaei rather than Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, who had been the principal negotiator. This move highlighted Rezaei's direct institutional link to the supreme leader. Rezaei has also engaged in nuclear diplomacy, including a trip to Moscow on November 5 to discuss regional security with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Analysts suggest Rezaei's rise reflects dissatisfaction among those close to Mojtaba Khamenei with Qalibaf's handling of negotiations. Hamidreza Azizi of Crisis Group noted that Rezaei was supported by figures who wanted a coordinator capable of unifying various groups, especially the military. While Qalibaf retains his role as parliament speaker and negotiator, Rezaei now holds a separate channel of authority that could shape Iran's strategic direction during the ninth month of the war.
Rezaei's new role extends beyond domestic security to significant international engagement. His position allows him to influence the agenda of the Supreme National Security Council, which coordinates defense and national security policies. Although the president formally chairs the council, the secretary plays a central role in implementation and coordination, wielding considerable operational influence.
Whether Rezaei will become the principal strategic decision-maker in Iran remains to be seen. However, his return to the center of the power structure underscores the growing importance of the security establishment in shaping the country's political and diplomatic path during wartime.
