Iran Appoints Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr as New Security Chief Following Larijani’s Death
TEHRAN — Iran has named Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr as the new head of the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), filling the void left by Ali Larijani, who was killed in an air strike last week amid the ongoing US-Israeli war on Iran.
Zolghadr, a former Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander and current secretary of the Expediency Council, takes over one of the most sensitive posts in Iran’s political system at a critical juncture. His appointment was announced on Tuesday.
A ‘Heavyweight Security Figure’
Described by Al Jazeera correspondent Suheib Alassa as a “heavyweight security figure,” Zolghadr belongs to the first generation of the IRGC formed after the 1979 Islamic revolution. He fought in the Iran-Iraq war and has held numerous senior military and security positions, including:
· Chief of the IRGC Joint Staff for eight years
· IRGC deputy commander-in-chief for eight years
· Various high-level political and judicial roles
His selection reflects Tehran’s need for a figure capable of replacing Larijani, who was regarded as a deeply experienced political and security figure within Iran’s governing system.
Strategic Selection Amid War
Al Jazeera’s Ali Hashem reported from Tehran that Zolghadr’s appointment suggests Iran’s leadership is “trying to add more military layers to the national security establishment.”
The position is closely linked to the office of new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei and demands someone who can combine security expertise with strategic portfolio management. Hardliners in Iran may view Zolghadr’s strong military background as better suited to managing the country’s current war footing than his predecessor.
Immediate Challenges
Zolghadr faces a complex security landscape shaped by:
· Ongoing strikes across Iran, particularly in western and northwestern provinces near the country’s borders
· Concerns over attempts to destabilize the country from within
· Hundreds of arrests of individuals accused of cooperating with foreign entities
· Continued Iranian missile attacks across the region
· Tehran’s pressure campaign in the Strait of Hormuz, which has affected global oil prices and shipping
Role in Potential Negotiations
According to Hashem, Zolghadr will play a crucial role in any potential negotiations with the United States to end the war.
“Whoever is sitting at the negotiation table will have to get Zolghadr’s approval before anything passes,” Hashem said.
The appointment comes as Iran confirmed receiving a US plan to end the conflict, which Tehran has called “maximalist and unreasonable.” Despite US President Donald Trump’s claims of ongoing peace talks, US-Israeli attacks on Iran continue as the war enters its 26th day.
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