“War Room” in Tehran: Why Has the Defense Council Been Revived?
WANA (Aug 05) – Tehran has once again turned to one of its oldest security mechanisms: the National Defense Council. A body that had long remained silent is now reactivated at one of the region’s most volatile moments. Reviving this council is more than an organizational adjustment; it sends a clear message: Iran is preparing for unconventional security scenarios.
Why Now?
The timing is telling. On one hand, the Middle East is facing an escalation of hybrid threats: sophisticated cyberattacks, border tensions, and explicit threats from Israel and the United States — and most importantly, the recent 12-day imposed war. On the other, nuclear negotiations are effectively deadlocked, while pressure from the IAEA’s Board of Governors is once again intensifying. Under such circumstances, bringing back the Defense Council can be read as a form of “political insurance” for managing potential crises.
The Defense Council first played a pivotal role during the Iran-Iraq War. Its return now evokes the historical memory of days when vital decisions about the fate of the war were made. Today, its revival raises a pressing question: does Tehran consider the current situation equivalent to a “wartime condition”?
Iran Forms Defense Council Amid Security Shake-Up
WANA (Aug 01) – With structural reforms in Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) nearing completion, informed sources report the establishment of a new body called the “Defense Council.” This newly formed council will be tasked with strategic responsibilities related to the country’s defense policies. Its organizational structure is expected to be finalized soon. […]
This move is less a legal measure than a declaration of mindset. In Iran’s political lexicon, reviving the Defense Council signals acceptance that the crisis is not merely diplomatic or economic but a full-scale threat to the system’s existence and stability. Tehran is effectively telling both its allies and adversaries: “We have reached a point where all top leaders must sit in the same room.”
The Council’s Composition: A Message Inside and Out
Its members stand at the very peak of power: the President, the heads of the other two branches, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, and senior commanders of both the IRGC and the Army. This composition conveys two key messages:
- To the domestic audience: Security decisions are no longer scattered; a unified command center has been formed.
- To the external audience: Any pressure or threat against Iran will be met with a coordinated response from the entire leadership.
Such a move could shift Middle Eastern dynamics, signaling that Iran is moving toward institutional coordination for rapid response. It also warns that further pressure may not lead to retreat but to greater consolidation of power in Tehran.
The Supreme Leader of Iran, in a meeting with a group of Air Force and Air Defense commander – Iran 07. Feb. 2025- Leader office/ WANA News Agency
The main question concerns how independent this council will be compared to the Supreme National Security Council. Mostafa Najafi, a strategic affairs researcher, notes: “If the Defense Council operates beyond the powers delegated by the Supreme National Security Council, it would require explicit authorization or delegation from the Supreme Leader, possibly through a hukm-e hokoomati (special decree).”
He also stresses that the inclusion of the commander of Khatam al-Anbia Central Headquarters indicates a focus on the operational and tactical dimensions of national defense.
Expectations for the Defense Council are broad: from “accelerating the upgrade of air defense and radar systems” to “practical coordination among intelligence services,” and even “assessing unpredictable scenarios such as drone swarms.”
In essence, the Defense Council is a potential war room — a place where its decisions could shape not only Iran’s fate but also the trajectory of Middle Eastern crises. The critical question remains: is this council being revived merely as a precaution against worst-case scenarios, or does it mark Iran’s entry into a new phase of direct confrontation with the West?
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei attends a graduation ceremony for armed Forces Officers’ Universities at the Imam Ali academy in Tehran, Iran October 10, 2023. Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader/WANA (West Asia News Agency)
