New Delhi, Aug. 10 -- Iran on Sunday (9 August) promoted Mohsen Rezaei, former commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), as the head of the country's Supreme National Security Council, marking a major shake-up in its highest decision-making body on national defence.

The state-run Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) first confirmed Rezaei's appointment, a day after Tehran hinted that it was "very close" to a deal with Oman over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

Rezaei replaces Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, a hard-liner who accepted a new position as political adviser to Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, Bloomberg reported. Confirming the development, Iranian presidency spokesman Mehdi Tabatabaei, in a post on X, said, "I...