In a strategic move amid ongoing talks over the Strait of Hormuz, Iran has appointed Mohsen Rezaei, the former commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), as head of its top security body, the Supreme National Security Council. This council plays a crucial role in the country's security and foreign policy. Rezaei takes over from Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, who has been appointed as a political adviser to Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, following Ali Larijani's assassination in March. Rezaei, 71, headed the IRGC during the Iran-Iraq War of the 1980s and later served on Iran's Expediency Discernment Council, resolving disputes over legislation between parliament and the Guardian Council. His appointment signifies a significant shift in Iran's domestic and foreign policies, particularly regarding the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway through which a fifth of global oil and gas passes. As a former IRGC chief and member of Iran's Expediency Discernment Council, Rezaei is expected to play a crucial role in Tehran's negotiations with the US. His position within the conservative camp does not necessarily align with that of Saeed Jalili, the hardline faction associated with opposition to US negotiations, providing him room for maneuver among multiple parties. This appointment, made against the backdrop of escalating tensions over the Strait of Hormuz and faltering US-Iran negotiations, is a forward-looking move by Iran, signaling its continued commitment to maintaining control of strategic waterways and navigating complex geopolitical dynamics.