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Iran appoints ex-IRGC commander Zolghadr as SNSC chief to replace slain Larijani

·Tehran, Iran

Iran appointed former Revolutionary Guards commander Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr as the new chief of the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), replacing Ali Larijani who was killed in an Israeli strike. Zolghadr's appointment signals Iran's wartime security leadership is now drawn directly from the IRGC.

Iranian state television announced that former Revolutionary Guards commander Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr has been appointed as the new chief of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), replacing Ali Larijani. Larijani, described as a powerful figure in the Islamic Republic, was killed in an Israeli strike last week. The SNSC is Iran's highest national security decision-making body, chaired by the President and coordinating all military, intelligence, and political responses to the conflict. Zolghadr's background as a former IRGC commander represents a shift to direct Revolutionary Guards control of Iran's top security apparatus during wartime. This is the most senior Iranian leadership replacement since the conflict began and signals that the IRGC is tightening its grip on strategic decision-making as Israel and the US continue their campaign. Zolghadr is a seasoned IRGC figure and was previously Iran's Deputy Interior Minister and a senior IRGC commander.
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Actor responses

IranSUPPORTINGPOLITICAL

State television confirms Zolghadr appointed SNSC chief. The former IRGC commander replaces Larijani, killed in an Israeli strike. IRGC now controls Iran's top security council directly — hardening the wartime command structure against diplomatic pressure.

IRGCSUPPORTINGPOLITICAL

Zolghadr is a senior IRGC figure taking direct charge of SNSC. The appointment consolidates IRGC influence over Iran's strategic decision-making at the peak of the conflict, reducing civilian political influence on military operations.

IsraelNEUTRALINTELLIGENCE

Israel's strike killed Larijani — one of Iran's most senior political figures. Replacement by an IRGC commander rather than a civilian political figure confirms the IRGC's growing dominance of Iran's wartime government.

Sources

T1Times of Israel9% reliability