Iran names Mohammad Baqer Zolqadr as new security chief after Ali Larijani's death | About the ex-IRGC commander

The Supreme National Security Council is a key body in the Iranian government, which is chaired by the elected president and reports to the Supreme Leader.

Published on: Mar 24, 2026, 18:23:16 IST

Edited by Danita Yadav

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Weeks after the assassination of Iran's security chief Ali Larijani, Tehran has named his successor on Tuesday. Based on the announcement from President Masoud Pezeshkian's office, Mohammad Baqer Zolqadr will serve as the new secretary of the Supreme National Security Council.

Zolqadr has also headed the electoral headquarters of the hardline political faction - the Popular Front of Islamic Revolutionary Forces. (via Iran International)

Zolqadr was appointed as Larijani's successor as secretary of the SNSC, the Iranian president's deputy of communications Seyyed Mehdi Tabatabaei posted on X.

The Supreme National Security Council is a key body in the Iranian government, which is chaired by the elected president and reports to the Supreme Leader of Iran. Track updates on the US-Iran war here

The council coordinates security and foreign policy, and includes top military, intelligence and government officials in addition to representatives of the Supreme Leader.

Before Zolqadr, Ali Larijani served as the council's secretary. Larijani, who once served as Iran's parliament speaker and the chief negotiator for the nuclear talks with the US, was killed on March 17 by Israel.

Larijani's death came shortly after US-Israeli strikes across Iran targeted and eliminated top Iranian leaders, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Who is Mohammad Baqer Zolqadr?

Zolqadr is a former commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards. As per a Reuters report, he was in the past held senior security positions such as deputy for security at the Interior Ministry, deputy at the armed forces' general staff and advisor to the judiciary chief for crime prevention.

Zolqadr has also headed the electoral headquarters of the hardline political faction - the Popular Front of Islamic Revolutionary Forces.

Since 2022, he has served as secretary of the Expediency Discernment Council, an assembly that resolves differences between parliament and the Guardian Council of Shi'ite clerics and jurists who can veto legislation and supervise elections.

(With inputs from Reuters)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Danita Yadav
Danita Yadav is a Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times. Based in New Delhi, Danita serves as a pivotal voice in international reportage in the team. Operating under the mandate of delivering "without the noise", Danita excels at distilling complex geopolitical developments into lucid, objective narratives which prioritise factual accuracy over sensationalism. In HT, Danita has been recognised for her breaking news efforts and time-bound coverage of the Air India crash, which has driven over 2 million users to the website through trusted, factual coverage of the incident. Thriving in high-pressure editorial environments, Danita has also cultivated a reputation for navigating the nuances of global diplomacy and cross-border policy. With over four years of experience in the journalism industry, Danita has spent her years diving deep into the coverage of international relations and global conflicts. She has previously worked with the news teams at Outlook India and Times Network, covering a wide range of beats and topics, from education curricula and student protests to Indian politics and international conflicts such as the Ukraine, Gaza, and Sudan wars. Danita earned her Bachelor's Degree in Journalism from Kamala Nehru College, University of Delhi. Beyond the newsroom and her love for international relations, you'll find Danita 'geeking' out over books, music and BTS. Her appreciation for global pop culture and storytelling also added to her unique perspective on the "soft power" dynamics that increasingly have shaped international relations in the ever-changing global order.Read More

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