Iran Taps Revolutionary Guards Veteran to Succeed Ali Larijani at Supreme National Security Council

The "Tasnim" news agency reported today (Tuesday), on behalf of Iran's presidency, the appointment of Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr as secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, replacing Ali Larijani, who was assassinated last week in an Israeli strike. Zolghadr had until now served as secretary of Iran's Council for Determining the Regime's Interest.

The appointment comes after Larijani's assassination, who was considered one of the most central and influential figures at the top of the Iranian establishment for four decades. Larijani, who served as secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, was described as standing at the critical intersection of security, politics, propaganda, and nuclear policy. Over the years, he served as a key figure in managing the nuclear negotiations with the West and held the status of a "crisis manager" within the system.

His replacement, Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, brings decades of experience in Iran's centers of power. He is a veteran senior figure in the Revolutionary Guards who reached the rank of brigadier general and previously served as the organization's deputy commander. Later in his career, he held a series of senior roles in the security establishment as well as key positions in the Interior Ministry and the judiciary.

Most recently, Zolghadr served as secretary of the Council for Determining the Regime's Interest and is considered one of the most veteran and experienced figures in the Iranian establishment.