Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr Appointed Iran’s New Security Chief Following Elimination of Ali Larijani

Iran appoints IRGC veteran Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr to lead the SNSC. Read how this new security chief impacts the regime's nuclear and military strategy.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 28, 2026, 6:49 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Policy Brief

A Seamless Transition in the Regime’s Command

The Islamic Republic of Iran has moved swiftly to fill the vacuum left by the death of Ali Larijani, appointing Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr to lead the Supreme National Security Council. This transition, effective as of March 24, highlights the regime's institutional resilience and its ability to tap into a deep bench of seasoned loyalists during active wartime conditions. According to regional analysts, the SNSC serves as the critical junction where military, intelligence, and foreign policy interests converge, ensuring that the supreme leader's strategic priorities are executed across all sectors of the government.

The Strategic Influence of the Security Council

Under the Iranian Constitution, the SNSC is tasked with a massive mandate that encompasses political, intelligence, and economic security to defend against both domestic and international threats. The council includes the heads of the three branches of government, military commanders, and direct representatives of the supreme leader, making it the primary decision-making body for war and the nuclear program. As the new secretary, Zolghadr is now responsible for coordinating these diverse power centers, a role that requires a sophisticated understanding of regime politics and the enforcement of defense policies.

A Decades Long Career in Extraterritorial Warfare

Zolghadr enters the role with a resume defined by his early leadership within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), specifically in the formation of proxy networks. In the early 1980s, he cofounded the Ramezan Garrison, which provided the structural foundation for what would eventually become the Quds Force. This unit was instrumental in training Iraqi Shiite militias and establishing the global terror network that has been held responsible for the deaths of hundreds of American personnel. According to historical records, his tenure as deputy commander-in-chief of the IRGC further solidified his expertise in overseeing both internal and external military operations.