Merad Vaisi, senior analyst at Iran International, said: “After back-and-forths and repeated denials and confirmations, Mohammad-Baqer Zolqader was removed from his position as secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, and Mohsen Rezaei replaced him; a process that was indicative of a severe power struggle among factions of the Islamic Republic, especially within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. In recent years, Mohsen Rezaei has become known for repeated but unsuccessful participation in elections, as well as for putting forward unconventional and bizarre views.”