Iran consolidates hard-line leadership after six months of war
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Iran's leadership has consolidated around a core of military generals and clerics after six months of war. The new leadership is preparing for a prolonged confrontation with the U.S. and is determined to prevent domestic unrest. The appointments come as the economy worsens under American blockade and sanctions.
Key Facts
- Mohsen Rezaei, 71, was appointed secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council.
- Hossein Taeb, a hard-line cleric and longtime intelligence chief, was named head of the Basij volunteer force.
- The appointments were announced on Aug. 11 and 12 by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei.
- The U.S. and Israel launched a bombing campaign on Feb. 28 that killed much of Iran's highest echelons, including former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
- The Basij played a major role in crushing January's nationwide protests, when thousands were killed.
Leadership Consolidation
Iran's new leadership has coalesced around a hard core of military generals and clerics long entrenched in the ruling theocracy. They are ready for a potentially long confrontation with the U.S. and determined to prevent any unrest at home. The appointments were announced on Aug. 11 and 12 by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei. Khamenei's father and much of the highest echelons were killed in the bombing campaign launched by the U.S. and Israel on Feb. 28.
Key Appointments
Mohsen Rezaei, 71, was appointed secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council. Rezaei led the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard during its formative years, through the entire 1980-1988 war with Iraq and until 1997. Hossein Taeb, a hard-line cleric and longtime intelligence chief, was named head of the Basij, the Revolutionary Guard's volunteer street force. Taeb led one of the first major crackdowns on protests, in 2009.
Domestic Unrest Threat
Iran is determined to smother any internal unrest as discontent over the economy spreads. The Basij played a major role in crushing January's nationwide protests, when thousands were killed. Taeb's appointment is seen as a sign that the leadership is intent on preventing any new unrest. The 56-year-old Khamenei has not been seen in public, or even appeared in video or audio, since Israeli strikes killed his father.
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Iran consolidates hard-line leadership after six months of war
