Rear Admiral Ali Akbar Ahmadian, a seasoned commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), has assumed the prominent position of secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC). The important assembly gathers the country’s civilian and military-security leadership for major decisions on foreign policy and national security. Ahmadian succeeds Ali Shamkhani, who has stepped down after a decade of running the secretariat.

Shamkhani is notably leaving after having played a pivotal role in the China-mediated accord between Saudi Arabia and Iran. The deal, announced in Beijing on Mar. 10, aims to reinstate comprehensive relations between the two neighbors. The reshuffle also follows corruption allegations and a controversial execution revolving around...