Mohsen Rezaei, a former IRGC commander and prominent hardliner, has been appointed secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, placing a veteran military figure at the center of Iran’s security decision-making as the U.S.-Iran war continues.
The conflict is already disrupting global energy markets, with an estimated 2.6 billion barrels of oil supply disrupted and the IEA releasing about 400 million barrels from emergency reserves, Reuters reports. Global inventories may cover several more months, but tight supplies of diesel and jet fuel remain a major concern. With the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve near its lowest level since 1983, a prolonged conflict could further drain inventories and push oil prices higher.
Adding to those concerns, The Independent reports that Iran may seek to prolong the war until President Trump leaves office, while Tehran rejects U.S. claims of control over the Strait of Hormuz. Rezaei’s appointment to a key national security role adds a hardline military voice to Iran’s leadership as the conflict continues. Shipping through the waterway remains dramatically below prewar levels, putting further pressure on global energy markets and increasing the risk of higher fuel prices.
