Mohammad Baqer Zolqadr has been named as the new Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, taking over from Ali Larijani, who was recently killed in an Israeli attack. Zolqadr’s appointment was confirmed by Mehdi Tabatabai, the Iranian President’s Public Relations aide, with the approval of Ayatollah Seyed Mojtaba Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian. Zolqadr, a former commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), previously served as the Secretary of the Expediency Council.
Zolqadr is known for his extensive experience in Iran’s military, security, and judicial sectors. He held key positions in the Armed Forces and the judiciary, including serving as Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces for Basij affairs. Zolqadr also has a history of leadership roles within the IRGC, having been the head of the IRGC Joint Staff and later the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the IRGC. His appointment comes at a crucial time for Iran.
Israel recently announced the killing of Ali Larijani, the former Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council. According to the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), Larijani was a prominent figure in the Iranian regime and a close confidant of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Larijani was described as a key leader within the Iranian regime and was actively involved in suppressing protests against the government.
