Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei appointed Ali Shamkhani as his political advisor and a member of the Expediency Council.

In a Monday decree, the Leader announced the appointment and wished success for the former top security official.

Earlier in the day, Shamkhani stepped down as secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) after almost a decade.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi, as the SNSC head, appointed Ali Akbar Ahmadian, a senior commander in the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), as Shamkhani’s replacement.

In addition, in another decree, Ayatollah Khamenei appointed Ahmadian as his representative to the Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) .

The Leader stated that he made the appointment in accordance with Article 176 of Iran's Constitution.

Ayatollah Khamenei commended and appreciated the "responsible presence and efforts" of Shamkhani during his tenure.

Accordingly, Ali Akbar Ahmadian has a Ph.D. in strategic management from the Supreme National Defense University and is known as one of the most respected figures in the country in matters of national security, according to Nour News, which is affiliated with Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC).

He was also one of the main architects of the new and innovative naval force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps.