Iran consolidates hardline leadership amid tensions with US

Following six months of conflict, Iran’s leadership has consolidated around a hardline core of long-standing generals and clerics. This new leadership structure, established through decrees by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, aims to prepare the nation for a prolonged confrontation with the United States and to suppress internal unrest.

Mohsen Rezaei has been appointed as the new secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council. Addressing potential economic warfare and U.S. sanctions, Rezaei warned that if economic pressures continue, Iran may respond by halting all oil exports from the Persian Gulf. The leadership shift follows significant losses within the previous high-level command during U.S. and Israeli military campaigns earlier this year.