TEHRAN, Iran

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on Monday appointed Ali Akbar Ahmadian as Secretary of the country’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), according to the state news agency IRNA.

Ahmadian, the former head of the Strategic Center of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), replaces Ali Shamkhani, who was removed from his post on Sunday after 10 years in the position.

Raisi hailed Shamkhani's efforts during his tenure.

Iranian authorities provided no explanation for the change.

The SNSC is a powerful government body that is tasked with formulating national security policies under guidelines set by the supreme leader's office.

*Writing by Mahmoud Barakat