Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian named Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr to head the Supreme National Security Council on Tuesday, filling a crucial security position with a former Revolutionary Guard commander as the nation deals with ongoing military tensions involving Israel and the United States. Presidential communications deputy Mehdi Tabatabaei announced that Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei had endorsed the selection.
The new appointment follows the March 17 death of Ali Larijani, a prominent Iranian official who died in an airstrike close to Tehran. Larijani had been a central figure in Iran’s government for years, holding key positions including speaker of parliament, nuclear negotiator, and previously serving as secretary of the same security council. His death eliminated a major political influencer during a time of intense military and political pressure for the regime.
Prior to his new role, Zolghadr held the position of secretary for the Expediency Discernment Council, another important government institution, and previously worked in senior judicial positions. His background as a former Revolutionary Guards commander provides him with extensive connections within Iran’s security apparatus, as the country increasingly relies on military-connected officials during the ongoing crisis.
The Supreme National Security Council serves as Iran’s central hub for making decisions on defense matters, intelligence operations, and significant foreign policy issues. While the president leads this organization, its activities are closely coordinated with the supreme leader’s office. This appointment appears to be Tehran’s effort to strengthen its leadership structure following multiple high-ranking casualties since hostilities began on February 28.
