jordan pulse -

​In his first major leadership reshuffle since assuming the role of Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei appointed veteran and loyalist figures from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to key security posts, in what experts regard as preparations for a prolonged and hardline confrontation with the United States, according to reporting by Al Arabiya.
​The appointments were made on August 9 and 10 to fill senior vacancies created after officials were killed during the war, relying on figures from the IRGC's "Old Guard" known for their chronic hostility toward Washington. Mojtaba Khamenei has held power since the assassination of his father, Ali Khamenei, on February 28 at the start of the US-Israeli war on Iran, though he has not yet made a public appearance amid lingering questions regarding his health and political influence.
​Key appointees include 71-year-old Mohsen Rezaei, who led the IRGC through much of the 1980s Iran–Iraq War, and 63-year-old Hossein Taeb, the former IRGC intelligence chief who was mysteriously dismissed in 2022, as detailed by Middle East Online. Jason Brodsky, policy director at the US-based organization United Against Nuclear Iran, noted that these appointments signal "the adoption of a more risk-ready, confrontational stance".
​Brodsky added that the choices demonstrate Iran's belief that it will remain on a wartime footing for the foreseeable future. He further highlighted that Taeb's appointment to lead the Basij paramilitary force reflects establishment concerns over potential domestic unrest driven by deteriorating economic conditions, positioning the Basij to lead any crackdown on future protests, as covered by Iran International.
​It remains to be seen how these appointments will affect the diplomatic track with the US following the expiration of a 60-day deadline to reach an agreement. To date, negotiations have been led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who is currently viewed as a less hardline figure within the leadership.
​Source: Rum News Agency