ALBAWABA - Hours of confusion over Iranian media reports of contradicting information regarding Rezaei’s new post were put to rest as Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, named Major General Mohsen Rezaei as his representative to the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC).
The nomination, published by the semi-official Fars News Agency, highlighted Rezaei's long military and strategic background, including his years at the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) during the Iran-Iraq War. The proclamation also lauded previous congressman Mohammad Bagher Zolqadr’s services.
The statement came a day after a series of conflicting reports in which many Iranian news agencies, including ISNA, Tasnim and Mehr, temporarily published and then deleted stories reporting that Rezaei had been appointed secretary of the council before the official order was announced.
The leadership changes come at a sensitive time as Iran is re-evaluating its national security policy following recent regional tensions and ongoing talks on relations with the United States.
The current atmosphere may offer an opportunity to renew negotiations, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said at a press conference on Sunday, calling the current moment as the “best time” to pursue an accord thru diplomacy.
Tehran remains committed to defending its national interests but considers dialog to be the best way as long as the rights of Iran are respected and secured, said Pezeshkian.
The president defined the country’s current condition as “neither war nor peace,” and said that the biggest issue for Iran is not the possibility of a military conflict but the economic hardship of regular Iranians.
He said that keeping national unity will be vital in the next phase of the country, adding that internal coherence is more crucial than political divisions as Tehran balances domestic difficulties with regional security concerns.
Khamenei’s nomination of Rezaei and Pezeshkian’s renewed push for diplomacy combined show that Iran is revamping not only its security leadership but also its political approach as it faces mounting economic pressure and uncertainty over future discussions with the West.
