Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr Appointed to Head Iran’s Supreme National Security Council

Iran has appointed Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, a veteran commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, as the new secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, replacing Ali Larijani who was killed in recent Israeli airstrikes.

The move, announced through state media and widely shared on social platforms, comes as the country continues to face intense military pressure in the ongoing 2026 regional conflict. Larijani, a veteran politician reappointed to the post in August 2025, was among senior officials targeted in strikes that also claimed the life of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on February 28.

Zolghadr, who currently serves as secretary of the Expediency Discernment Council, brings extensive hardline security credentials to the role. A retired IRGC brigadier general, he previously held positions as deputy commander-in-chief of the IRGC and deputy interior minister for security affairs. He is internationally sanctioned for his involvement in Iran’s military and security apparatus and is viewed as a staunch loyalist to the regime’s conservative factions.

Analysts interpret the appointment as part of a broader consolidation of power under Mojtaba Khamenei, the slain leader’s son who was named supreme leader earlier this month. The selection of IRGC-linked figures like Zolghadr indicates a further shift toward hardline elements, sidelining more pragmatic voices amid the war with Israel and associated proxy tensions.

The Supreme National Security Council is Iran’s top body for coordinating national security, nuclear policy, and responses to external threats. Zolghadr’s background suggests a greater emphasis on military strategies and proxy networks rather than diplomatic outreach during the current crisis.

Larijani’s assassination has already strained decision-making in Tehran, thinning the ranks of experienced officials. State media has described the latest reshuffle as a demonstration of continuity and resilience in the face of sustained external attacks.

This development underscores the Islamic Republic’s determination to maintain a defiant posture as internal power structures adapt rapidly to wartime conditions.