Mohsen Rezaei, a figure known for his hardline stance, has been named military advisor by Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. This appointment was reported by Mehr news agency on March 16, and subsequently by numerous other Iranian media outlets.
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Mohsen Rezaei speaking on television in July 2025. Photo: Aawsat
Rezaei, 71, previously served as the commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). He is a veteran of the Iran-Iraq war, having joined the IRGC immediately after the Iranian Revolution and becoming its commander at the age of 27. His career also includes roles as secretary of the Expediency Discernment Council and Iran's vice president for economic affairs. Despite being nicknamed the "persistent candidate", he was unsuccessful in the 2005, 2009, 2013, and 2021 presidential elections.
Rezaei has a controversial past, including an Interpol red notice issued at Argentina's request. This was linked to the 1994 bombing of a Jewish community center in Buenos Aires, an attack that killed 85 people.
Rezaei's recent statements highlight his hawkish views. On March 15, he declared, "The presence of the United States in the Persian Gulf is the main factor causing instability over the past 50 years. Security here cannot be guaranteed unless the U.S. withdraws from the region, and regional nations, particularly Iran and Oman, take control of the Strait of Hormuz." He frequently discusses extreme scenarios, notably stating on March 1 that "U.S. ships will no longer be allowed to enter the Persian Gulf," a direct challenge to freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has since blockaded.
Analysts interpret Rezaei's appointment as a reflection of Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei's strong ties with the IRGC. It also suggests a more hardline approach compared to his father, the late Grand Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Mojtaba Khamenei's first message since becoming Supreme Leader, issued on March 12, underscored his intention not to reconcile with Iran's adversaries and emphasized a determination for retaliation.
By Vu Hoang (AFP, Reuters, AP)
