Who is Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr? The hard‑line commander now shaping Iran’s security after Larijani’s death
After the death of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) chief Ali Larijani in a US-Israeli airstrike, the Islamic Republic has named Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr as his successor. The country’s power has now shifted to a figure with deep roots in both the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Iran’s political establishment.
Who is Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr?
Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, a former commander of the IRGC, has been appointed as the new chief of the SNSC. The council, formally chaired by President Masoud Pezeshkian, coordinates security and foreign policy in Iran and includes top military, intelligence and government officials, along with representatives of Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei.Zolghadr’s appointment was announced on X by the deputy communications of President Pezeshkian. His career spans decades of military and political experience. He served in the 1980s Iran-Iraq war and later became head of the IRGC’s joint staff for eight years. He had also served eight years as deputy commander-in-chief.In 2005, he was named deputy interior minister for security and police under President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.Since 2023, Zolghadr has been secretary of the Expediency Council, a powerful advisory body mediating between Iran’s various power centers and the supreme leader. Analysts said that his new role consolidates the IRGC’s growing influence amid uncertainty at the top of Iran’s leadership, especially since Mojtaba Khamenei has not been seen publicly following his succession.The SNSC plays a central role in Iran’s security and foreign policy decision-making. Larijani, one of the most prominent non-clerical figures in Iranian politics was at the center of Iran’s leadership response to the escalating war in the Middle East and the broader regional crisis. Following Khamenei’s death, Larijani led a transitional council alongside two others, guiding Iran’s crisis management until his assassination.With Zolghadr’s appointment, the IRGC now has a stronger presence in the council, potentially influencing both military operations and diplomatic negotiations. “The perception is that Zolghadr will have the final say on security and military matters within the council,” Al-Jazeera reported citing a source.According to experts, any potential talks with the US or other regional powers will likely require Zolghadr’s approval. “Whoever is involved at the negotiation table must get Zolghadr’s sign-off,” said analysts familiar with Iran’s political system.
