Iran Appoints Ex-IRGC Commander Zolghadr as Top Security Chief Amid Rising Tensions
Iran appointed Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr as the new secretary of its Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) on Tuesday, replacing Ali Larijani who was killed in an Israeli airstrike last week, according to a statement from the Iranian president’s office posted on X.
Zolghadr, a veteran of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), assumes the role as Iran navigates escalating military pressure and internal security concerns. The appointment, confirmed by President Masoud Pezeshkian and approved by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, places a hardline security figure at the helm of Iran’s national security apparatus.
Described as a “heavyweight security figure” by Al Jazeera correspondent Suheib Alassa, Zolghadr’s career has been deeply rooted within the IRGC. He fought in the Iran-Iraq war and subsequently held key positions within the organization, including eight years as chief of the IRGC Joint Staff and another eight as its deputy commander-in-chief. Prior to his appointment as secretary of the Expediency Council in 2023, he served as deputy interior minister for security affairs and held positions within Iran’s armed forces command structure.
The selection of Zolghadr reflects a broader trend within the Iranian government, noted in reporting by The Times of Israel and confirmed by the appointment itself, toward consolidating power within the IRGC. This follows the recent selection of Mojtaba Khamenei as the new Supreme Leader after the death of his father, Ali Khamenei, a decision reportedly pushed through by the IRGC despite concerns from more pragmatic elements within the government.
The SNSC leadership post is closely linked to the office of the Supreme Leader, demanding a figure capable of managing both security expertise and strategic portfolios. According to reporting from Bloomberg, Zolghadr is not a diplomat or a nuclear negotiator, but a career security official whose professional background is entirely within the IRGC.
Zolghadr’s appointment comes amid ongoing Israeli strikes within Iran and a broader conflict across the region. Attacks have targeted not only major cities like Tehran and Isfahan, but also western and northwestern Iran, particularly East Azerbaijan province. Iranian authorities have responded by arresting hundreds accused of collaborating with foreign entities, as part of an effort to contain potential security breaches following earlier protest movements.
Tehran continues to launch missile attacks across the region, aiming to demonstrate its ability to target locations deep within Israeli territory. Simultaneously, Iran is exerting pressure in the Strait of Hormuz, restricting ship passage and impacting the global economy and oil prices.
Ali Hashem, reporting for Al Jazeera from Tehran, stated that Zolghadr’s appointment suggests Iran’s leadership is seeking to strengthen the military influence within the national security establishment. He added that any potential negotiations with the United States will require Zolghadr’s approval.