Iran Conflict — 2026-03-24

Iran Appoints IRGC Veteran Zolghadr as Security Chief After Israeli Strike Kills Predecessor Larijani

Iran named Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, a former IRGC deputy commander-in-chief, to lead the Supreme National Security Council. He replaces Ali Larijani, killed in an Israeli strike last week. Zolghadr is an Iran-Iraq War veteran who headed the Guards joint staff for eight years and held senior posts in Iran's interior and justice ministries. His appointment, approved by new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, strengthens hardline military influence in the security apparatus. He now has primary responsibility for Iran's war strategy against US and Israeli operations.

Analysis
Larijani's killing was reported in the prior INTSUM (0400 24 Mar). Zolghadr's appointment as replacement strengthens the hardline military faction at the expense of pragmatists, reducing the likelihood that Ghalibaf (flagged in prior digest as a White House-favored interlocutor) will be the decision-maker on war termination.

1 sources

Iran names ex-IRGC commander Zolghadr to succeed Larijani as security chief - Times of Israel