Iran names Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr secretary of the Supreme National Security Council after Larijani's death

Iran has appointed Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr as the new secretary of its Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), replacing Ali Larijani who was killed in a recent Israeli airstrike.

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The appointment was officially announced on March 24, 2026, by Seyyed Mehdi Tabatabaei, deputy for communications at the Iranian president's office.

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The move was approved by Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei and decreed by President Masoud Pezeshkian.

Zolghadr's appointment comes amidst ongoing military hostilities between Iran, Israel, and the United States.

The conflict has entered its fourth week following the US-Israeli strikes that began on February 28.

This represents a significant leadership change at a critical juncture in Iran's security apparatus.

Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr brings extensive military and security experience to his new role, having risen to the rank of brigadier general within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

His career spans decades of service across multiple key institutions, including serving as head of the IRGC's joint staff for eight years and then as deputy commander-in-chief of the IRGC for another eight years.

Al Bawaba

Zolghadr has also held significant positions in Iran's judiciary, serving as Deputy for Strategic Societal Security and Crime Prevention Affairs from 2009 to 2011 and as Strategic Deputy from 2011 to 2019.

His political career includes serving as Deputy Minister and Deputy for Security and Law Enforcement at the Ministry of Interior during the ninth regime.

Most recently, he served as Secretary of Iran's Expediency Discernment Council since 2021.

The appointment reflects Iran's emphasis on hardline security figures in its leadership structure.

Ali Larijani's killing marked a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel-US forces.

“Conversely, Iranian authorities announced the arrest of hundreds of suspects for collaborating with foreign entities, a step observers link to attempts to contain any security breaches that might coincide with external military escalation”

Al-Jazeera Net

The 67-year-old former security chief was killed on March 17 in an Israeli airstrike near Tehran while visiting his daughter in the eastern outskirts of Pardis district.

Larijani's death was confirmed by Iranian authorities, who mourned him as having 'proudly attained the blessed rank of martyrdom in the service front.'

The attack also claimed the lives of his son Morteza and members of his security team.

Larijani had been widely regarded as a central decision-maker following the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in the initial US-Israeli strikes on February 28 that ignited the war.

His assassination was part of a broader campaign targeting high-ranking Iranian officials, including IRGC commander Mohammad Pakpour and Gholamreza Soleimani, the head of Basij forces.

The Supreme National Security Council plays a crucial role in Iran's power structure, making Zolghadr's appointment particularly significant.

The body is responsible for coordinating Iran's military, intelligence, and diplomatic responses, especially during periods of crisis or war.

Anadolu Agency

As secretary of the council, Zolghadr will oversee strategic discussions and help guide key decisions related to national security, including defense, nuclear policy, and foreign strategy.

The position is considered one of the most influential roles in Iran's political system because it directly impacts how the country responds to regional and global tensions.

Zolghadr's appointment signals a stronger role for the Revolutionary Guards in Iran's leadership.

The IRGC's influence appears to be growing further during this period of conflict.

Zolghadr's appointment comes amid heightened regional tensions and conflicting narratives about potential ceasefire talks.

“28, killing so far over 1,340 people, including then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei”

Anadolu Agency

While US President Donald Trump claimed that the United States and Iran had held 'very good and productive conversations' about a 'complete and total resolution of hostilities,' Iranian officials have vehemently denied these claims.

Caspian Post

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf dismissed the talks as 'fake news,' stating 'No negotiations have been held with the U.S., and fake news is used to manipulate the financial and oil markets and escape the quagmire in which the U.S. and Israel are trapped.'

Meanwhile, Iran's armed forces have vowed to continue fighting 'until complete victory,' with Major General Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi declaring that 'Iran's powerful armed forces are proud, victorious and steadfast in defending Iran's integrity.'

The conflicting statements reflect the complex diplomatic and military landscape in the region.

Zolghadr is now at the center of Iran's security decision-making during this volatile period.