Iran has named a former Iranian Revolutionary Guard commander as the new secretary of the country’s Supreme National Security Council on Tuesday, replacing Ali Larijani, who was killed in an airstrike.
Iranian state television identified the new secretary as Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr. Zolghadr reached the rank of brigadier general in the Guard. He had been serving as the secretary of Iran’s Expediency Council.
About Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr
Zolghadr emerged as a key figure during and after the Iran-Iraq War, a period that shaped many of Iran’s current military leaders. Within the IRGC, he rose through the ranks to become a senior commander, reportedly serving as a deputy commander. His responsibilities included strategic planning, operational coordination, and internal security oversight.
Beyond his military role, Zolghadr transitioned into government, reflecting the close linkage between Iran’s military and political institutions. He previously served as a deputy interior minister, where he was involved in domestic security, law enforcement coordination, and election oversight—functions critical to maintaining state stability.
He has also been associated with Iran’s anti-narcotics and border security efforts, particularly given Iran’s geographic position along major drug trafficking routes from Afghanistan. In these roles, he contributed to policy and operational frameworks aimed at curbing trafficking and organized crime.
In later years, Zolghadr moved into the judicial-administrative sphere, including a senior position within Iran’s judiciary system. His work has been linked to oversight of administrative justice and institutional accountability mechanisms, reflecting a broader career trajectory that spans military, executive, and judicial arms of the Iranian state.
