Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr Takes Command of Iran Security Council Following High Profile Elimination of Ali Larijani

Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr replaces Ali Larijani as Iran's security chief, signaling regime continuity in nuclear and military strategy amid regional tensions.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 26, 2026, 4:51 PM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD)

A Strategic Succession Amid Regional Escalation

The Islamic Republic has swiftly moved to fill the power vacuum left by the March 16 elimination of Ali Larijani by appointing Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr as the new chief of the Supreme National Security Council. This transition, effective as of March 24, signals Tehran's intent to maintain a steady hand over its military and intelligence coordination during a period of heightened regional conflict. The council serves as the primary nexus for the regime, where the president, military commanders, and representatives of the Supreme Leader align on general defense and security policies. By selecting a figure with deep roots in the Revolutionary Guard, the regime ensures that its strategic priorities remain uninterrupted by external pressure.

The Architecture of Iranian National Defense

Established in 1989, the Supreme National Security Council operates as the ultimate decision making body for war, internal security, and the controversial nuclear program. Its composition includes the heads of the legislative and judiciary branches alongside the chief of the armed forces general staff and IRGC commanders. According to Janatan Sayeh and Aaron Goren, the council is constitutionally mandated to coordinate intelligence and economic fields to safeguard against both internal and external threats. This centralized structure ensures that every major move, from regional proxy maneuvers to domestic crackdowns, is filtered through a singular ideological lens directed by the Supreme Leader.

A Commander Forged in the Quds Force Legacy

Zolghadr is far from a newcomer to the regime’s global apparatus, having cofounded the Ramezan Garrison in 1983 to train Shiite Iraqi proxy militias. This early command provided the essential framework for what would eventually become the Quds Force, an organization responsible for a global terror network. Between 1997 and 2005, he served as the deputy commander in chief of the IRGC, overseeing both external operations and internal security. His ideological commitment was recently reaffirmed when he celebrated the October 7 atrocities against Israel as a pivotal moment for the regime, illustrating his alignment with Tehran’s most aggressive regional ambitions.