Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr , was named as the new secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, days after Ali Larijani was killed in a strike last week.

Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr 

Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, a senior Iranian security official and former Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps(IRGC) had been serving as the secretary of Iran’s Expediency Council. As a new Supreme National Security Council, he will now be responsible for shaping Iran’s defence, nuclear, and foreign policy decisions. 

Trump Hints at potential breakthrough to end conflict

Hopes of a possible slowdown in the Iran conflict gained traction after US President Donald Trump said Washington was engaged in “productive” discussions with Tehran. However, fighting on the ground showed no signs of easing, and Iran denied that any talks were taking place.

Trump also pushed back his deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, stating that the US would delay any strike on Iranian power facilities for another five days to give diplomacy a chance. He added that American envoys were expected to engage with a “respected” Iranian figure.

Iranian officials, however, claimed that the move came after what they described as a firm warning issued by Tehran, suggesting the US had stepped back.

Meanwhile, the human cost of the conflict continues to rise sharply. The death toll has crossed 1,500 in Iran and over 1,000 in Lebanon, along with 15 fatalities in Israel and 13 US military personnel. 

Several civilians have also been killed across land and sea in the Gulf region, while millions in Iran and Lebanon have been forced to flee their homes.