# Iran names ex-Guards chief Rezaei as security head, Pezeshkian meets Khamenei

2026-08-09T20:49:43+00:00 | World & Diplomacy | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 1 independent outlet

Iran has appointed former Revolutionary Guards commander Mohsen Rezaei as secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, replacing Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr. President Masoud Pezeshkian announced the change on Sunday. Rezaei, 71, led the Guards from 1981 to 1997 and recently called control of the Strait of Hormuz ‘more important than dozens of atomic bombs’. Zolghadr has been named political adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei. Separately, Pezeshkian held a rare publicised meeting with Khamenei, who has not appeared in public since the Middle East war began. The supreme leader’s office said they discussed the country’s issues and the military situation. Talks on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, involving Oman and the United States, are reportedly progressing.

## Coverage

- newindianexpress.com <https://www.newindianexpress.com/world/2026/Aug/09/rezaei-named-irans-new-security-chief-as-president-holds-rare-meeting-with-supreme-leader>
- timesofindia.indiatimes.com <https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/iran-appoints-former-irgc-chief-mohsen-rezaei-as-top-security-official-amid-strait-of-hormuz-talks/articleshow/133077065.cms>

Tags: Iran, Khamenei, Middle East conflict, Mohsen Rezaei, Pezeshkian, Supreme National Security Council
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