The appointment was announced in a decree issued by Khamenei on Sunday, who cited Rezaei’s extensive experience, particularly his role as one of the pioneering military commanders during Iran’s eight-year war with Iraq in the 1980s.

Khamenei also praised Mohammad Bagher Zolqadr for his “round-the-clock efforts” during his tenure as the Leader’s representative to the SNSC.

Following the decree, President Masoud Pezeshkian appointed Rezaei as the new secretary of the SNSC.

Mehdi Tabatabaei, spokesperson for the Iranian president’s office, said Zolqadr had stepped down as secretary to take up a new responsibility.

Zolqadr, a veteran military commander, had held the post since March after the assassination of Ali Larijani in a US-Israeli attack.

In a separate decree, Khamenei appointed Zolqadr as his political adviser.

Rezaei, who served for years as commander of the IRGC, has held several senior political and military positions in Iran.

He was previously secretary and a member of the Expediency Discernment Council and served as vice president for economic affairs under former President Ebrahim Raisi.

More recently, Khamenei appointed Rezaei as a senior military adviser.

Rezaei’s appointment comes at a time of rising tensions between Iran and the United States, with Tehran accusing Washington of breaking the Islamabad memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the conflict between the two countries.

Iran and Oman are also engaged in negotiations over arrangements for maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, with Tehran demanding an end to US interference in the strategic waterway.

Rezaei warned last week on social media that continued US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz would expose American vessels and forces to serious risks and casualties.

He also rejected the opening of a second corridor through the strategic waterway under US pressure.