Iran · 11 August, 2026 · 2 min read
Mohsen Rezaei Says Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Will Not Retreat From Its Rights
Rezaei says Iran will not retreat from its rights amid threats. Appointed SNSC secretary, succeeding Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf.
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8 of 9 outlets skipped it: mentions US firing on a ship over an alleged Iranian-port blockade.
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Rezaei vows no retreat
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council secretary Mohsen Rezaei said Tehran will not retreat from its rights and interests in the face of any threat, in remarks published after his appointment to the position.
“will not back down in the face of any threat to the rights and interests of its people.”
In a letter of thanks to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Rezaei affirmed: "will not back down in the face of any threat to the rights and interests of its people."
Mehr News Agency quoted Rezaei saying the decisions must be made "with greater resolve than before, with full awareness of the current situation, and with wisdom and courage."
Rezaei also framed the moment as a "decisive and pivotal moment in its contemporary history," saying the aim is to get through the phase safely, cohesively, and with greater strength and broader capabilities for progress and development.
Deterrence and unity
Rezaei’s message tied Iran’s national security to the people’s peace, welfare, livelihood, economic stability, social cohesion, defense capability, diplomatic power, and social capital, and he stressed national unity and solidarity between people and officials.
Ava News Agency (Awa) said Rezaei described the goal as passing through the current sensitive conditions "more securely, more coherently, and more powerfully with greater capacities for progress and growth."
In the same message, Rezaei said that on the external front Tehran would prioritize strengthening Iran’s deterrence capability, resisting the bully of enemies, and responding promptly and decisively to any invasion.
The Al-Mada report similarly quoted Rezaei calling national unity and solidarity a "strategic necessity" at this stage, while also emphasizing readiness to confront any threat alongside employing diplomatic capabilities and active engagement.
Letter after appointment
Rezaei’s statements came after his appointment to the Supreme National Security Council secretary role, succeeding Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, according to CNN’s Arabic-language reporting.
“deep gratitude for the trust and esteem" of Khamenei and President Ebrahim Raisi”
CNN said Rezaei expressed "deep gratitude for the trust and esteem" of Khamenei and President Ebrahim Raisi after taking over the position.
CNN also reported that Rezaei pointed to the Leader’s directives to work on "strengthening deterrence, resisting the enemy’s tyranny, and the immediate and decisive response to any aggression" while using diplomatic capacities and maintaining readiness to confront any threat.
In a separate item carried by Al-Mada, the Wall Street Journal quoted an American official saying American forces fired on a Panama-flagged vessel after it tried to breach the blockade imposed on Iranian ports, as tensions over navigation linked to Iranian ports continued.