Iran's Khamenei appoints Mohsen Rezaei as representative to Supreme National Security Council

TEHRAN, Iran — Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei appointed Mohsen Rezaei as his representative to the Supreme National Security Council, replacing Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, Iranian media reported on Sunday. The appointment was announced through Khamenei's media platform. In his message, Khamenei said Rezaei was chosen for his "valuable experience" and noted that he had been among the prominent figures of the eight-year period of the Iran-Iraq war. Khamenei also thanked Zolghadr for his dedicated service during his tenure. The Supreme National Security Council is one of Iran's main bodies handling security and strategic policy matters. The Fars news agency reported on Saturday that Rezaei would be appointed following Zolghadr's resignation, which left the status of the council's secretary-general post temporarily unclear. Zolghadr later reappeared in official statements using the title of council secretary-general, indicating he retained that role despite being replaced as Khamenei's representative.