Iran appoints new security chief after Larijani’s assassination
Iran has appointed Hossein Dehghan, a former Defense Minister and Revolutionary Guards commander, as the new secretary of its Supreme National Security Council following the assassination of Ali Larijani. This change occurred amid escalating conflict with Israel, where Larijani was killed in an airstrike around March 17, 2026.
Ali Larijani, previously a parliament speaker and close aide to the late Supreme Leader, served as secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, overseeing Iran’s security and foreign policy. Israel claimed responsibility for his killing, confirmed by Iranian state media, alongside Basij commander Gholamreza Soleimani. The strike marked a significant loss for Iran’s leadership during ongoing regional tensions.
Hossein Dehghan, currently heading the Mostazafin Foundation (a major economic entity), replaces Larijani as of March 18-19, 2026. A U.S.-sanctioned general with IRGC experience, Dehghan brings military expertise to the role amid Iran’s wartime strategy. Iranian media announced the appointment swiftly after confirmation of Larijani’s death.
The appointment follows broader losses, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s death in prior U.S.-Israeli strikes, heightening instability. It signals continuity in hardline leadership as Iran faces strikes and retaliatory actions in the Gulf. No major shifts in policy have been reported yet.
