Internal Clashes Deepen Within the Iranian Regime
A Change That Raises Questions
An unexpected reorganization in Iran’s Supreme National Security Council has highlighted tensions at the highest levels of power and the growing dependence on the structures of the Revolutionary Guard.
Mohsen Rezaei replaced Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr as secretary of the Supreme National Security Council. The change came after several days of contradictory reports, denials, and sudden turnabouts.
Clashes Between Power Centers
According to recent reports, on August 9, an order attributed to supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei appointed Rezaei as his representative to the Supreme National Security Council.
Only a few hours later, President Masoud Pezeshkian officially appointed Rezaei as the secretary of the council.
The sequence of these actions is significant because it suggests that decision-making over key security structures is increasingly concentrating around the new center of power.
The Growing Role of the Revolutionary Guard
Rezaei is a figure closely linked to the military and security structures of the regime. His appointment to a key post comes at a time when the regime is simultaneously facing an economic crisis, social discontent, internal tensions, and external pressures.
In this context, the strengthening of figures linked to the security apparatus can be seen as an attempt to consolidate control and respond to crises through security mechanisms rather than political reforms.
A Regime Increasingly Dependent on the Security Apparatus
Recent changes should not be seen merely as administrative rotation.
They occur at a time when the system faces numerous problems: the economy is under pressure, inflation and currency depreciation have weakened purchasing power, while executions and repression continue to be the primary instruments of control.
Precisely for this reason, any increase in the role of military structures in political decision-making is an important indicator for understanding the future direction of the regime.
The Internal Crisis Is Becoming More Visible
The clashes and rapid changes at the highest levels of power show that the system is not only facing pressure from the outside.
It is also facing internal problems of coordination and power-sharing.
If these tensions continue to deepen, the strengthening of the security apparatus may bring greater short-term control, but at the same time, it could deepen the gap between the governing structures and Iranian society.
Taken from: ncr-iran.org
