Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr (left) and Ali Larijani (right) (Images/Agencies)

After the death of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) chief Ali Larijani in a US-Israeli airstrike, the Islamic Republic has named Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr as his successor. The country’s power has now shifted to a figure with deep roots in both the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Iran’s political establishment.

Who is Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr?

Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, a former commander of the IRGC, has been appointed as the new chief of the SNSC. The council, formally chaired by President Masoud Pezeshkian, coordinates security and foreign policy in Iran and includes top military, intelligence and government officials, along with representatives of Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei.Zolghadr’s appointment was announced on X by the deputy communications of President Pezeshkian. His career spans decades of military and political experience. He served in the 1980s Iran-Iraq war and later became head of the IRGC’s joint staff for eight years. He had also served eight years as deputy commander-in-chief.In 2005, he was named deputy interior minister for security and police under President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.Since 2023, Zolghadr has been secretary of the Expediency Council, a powerful advisory body mediating between Iran’s various power centers and the supreme leader. Analysts said that his new role consolidates the IRGC’s growing influence amid uncertainty at the top of Iran’s leadership, especially since Mojtaba Khamenei has not been seen publicly following his succession.The SNSC plays a central role in Iran’s security and foreign policy decision-making. Larijani, one of the most prominent non-clerical figures in Iranian politics was at the center of Iran’s leadership response to the escalating war in the Middle East and the broader regional crisis. Following Khamenei’s death, Larijani led a transitional council alongside two others, guiding Iran’s crisis management until his assassination.With Zolghadr’s appointment, the IRGC now has a stronger presence in the council, potentially influencing both military operations and diplomatic negotiations. “The perception is that Zolghadr will have the final say on security and military matters within the council,” Al-Jazeera reported citing a source.According to experts, any potential talks with the US or other regional powers will likely require Zolghadr’s approval. “Whoever is involved at the negotiation table must get Zolghadr’s sign-off,” said analysts familiar with Iran’s political system.

The government on Wednesday dismissed reports suggesting a change in LPG refill booking timelines, stating that the information being shared is incorrect and misleading. The Centre reaffirmed that the existing timelines “remain unchanged and continue to” function under the current time limit.The ministry of petroleum & natural gas clarified that reports circulating on social media claiming changes to LPG refill booking timelines are false, stating that the suggested revised intervals: 45 days for PMUY connections, 25 days for single non-PMUY connections and 35 days for double cylinder non-PMUY connections, have no basis. It further added that the country has adequate LPG supplies and assured citizens that there is no need to panic.

Here’s what the government said:

The ministry stated that “no such changes have been made. The existing refill booking timelines remain unchanged and continue to be under the existing system.” Presently, LPG refill bookings follow a uniform structure:

It also urged citizens not to believe or “circulate such misinformation” and to avoid unnecessary or panic-driven LPG refill bookings.“It is reiterated that adequate LPG stocks are available in the country, and there is no cause for concern,” the ministry added.Meanwhile, Indian Oil Corp Ltd has also soothed concerns about the timeline change reports. The oil firm stated that “reports claiming changes in LPG refill booking timelines are incorrect. There is no change in the existing timelines (25 days in urban areas / 45 days in rural areas), and LPG supplies remain adequate across the country. Please rely only on official sources and avoid panic.”In its statement, the ministry also cautioned the public against spreading or believing such misinformation. It also advised consumers to refrain from unnecessary or panic-driven refill bookings, reiterating that LPG stocks remain sufficient across the country and there is no cause for concern.

Fuel supply concerns arise amid Middle East crisis

As ongoing tensions in the Middle East region stretch through their fourth week, concerns are rising over fuel supply and prices in the country. Earlier, this week, Sujata Sharma, joint secretary, ministry of petroleum and natural gas said that the country continues to have adequate reserves of petroleum products. She noted that refineries are functioning at high operational levels with sufficient crude inventories.“All the refineries are operating at high capacity with adequate crude inventories. We have sufficient stock of petrol and diesel. The domestic production of LPG has been stepped up in the refineries,” she said.Sharma acknowledged that isolated instances of misinformation had led to confusion in certain areas, resulting in panic buying. She said such rumours had come to the notice of the ministry and were promptly addressed.She further added that around 7,500 domestic and commercial PNG connections were provided in a single day across 110 geographical areas. Highlighting potential reach, she noted that about “60 lakh such households where PNG connection can be provided” have been identified and encouraged eligible users to adopt PNG connections at the earliest.

The US has moved to deploy around 3,000 troops from its elite 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal, signalling heightened military readiness at a time of rising regional tension. Officials have stressed that the move does not confirm a decision to send ground forces into Iran, but it significantly expands Washington’s ability to respond at short notice. The 82nd Airborne is not a routine unit shuffled between bases; it is a force built for urgency. When it moves, it reflects preparation, not posture.At the centre of this development is a division that has spent decades defining what rapid military response looks like. From parachuting into hostile territory during the Second World War to leading early operations in modern conflicts, the 82nd Airborne has built a reputation as the unit that arrives first, often before the situation on the ground is fully understood. Its deployment is as much about capability as it is about signalling readiness.

What makes the 82nd Airborne division different

The 82nd Airborne Division occupies a unique place in the US military structure. It is a light infantry division, but one designed for global reach and immediate action. Based at Fort Liberty in North Carolina, it maintains elements on constant alert, prepared to move within hours of receiving orders.Its defining feature is its airborne capability. Soldiers are trained to parachute into areas where there are no secure landing zones, allowing them to enter environments that are otherwise inaccessible. This gives the division a critical advantage in the earliest phase of an operation, when speed and surprise can determine the outcome.A brigade-sized force of roughly 3,000 troops can be deployed within about 18 hours, supported by coordinated airlift and pre-positioned equipment. This level of readiness allows the US to respond to crises without the delays typically associated with large-scale military mobilisation.

82nd Airborne paratroopers conduct a mass jump during Exercise Swift Response 16 in Torun, Poland, June 7.

From World War II to modern conflicts

The division’s identity is rooted in its role during World War II, particularly in the Normandy landings. In June 1944, thousands of paratroopers from the 82nd were dropped behind enemy lines in Nazi-occupied France hours before Allied forces stormed the beaches.The mission was complex and dangerous. Paratroopers were scattered across the countryside, often landing far from their intended drop zones. Yet their objectives were clear: seize bridges, disrupt German reinforcements, and create confusion. Despite the chaos, their actions helped weaken German defences and paved the way for the success of the invasion.That operation cemented the division’s reputation as a force capable of operating in uncertainty, a trait that continues to define it today.In the decades that followed, the 82nd Airborne was repeatedly deployed in situations requiring rapid intervention. During the United States invasion of Grenada, it was used to stabilise conditions following the initial assault. In the Gulf War, it provided a ready force positioned for offensive operations. In both the War in Afghanistan and the Iraq War, the division carried out multiple deployments, including urban operations and security missions.Across these conflicts, a consistent pattern emerges: the 82nd is used when time is limited and conditions are uncertain.

US Army captain briefs 82nd Airborne Division paratroopers before a patrol in Ghazni province, Afghanistan, August 2012.

Capabilities built for speed and impact

The strength of the 82nd Airborne lies not in heavy firepower but in its combination of mobility, training, and coordination. As a light infantry force, it does not rely on tanks or heavy armour in the initial stages of deployment. Instead, it focuses on rapid insertion, flexible manoeuvre, and early control of key terrain.Its airborne operations allow troops to bypass traditional entry points and move directly into strategic areas. This capability is particularly important in securing infrastructure such as airfields, transport corridors, and communication hubs. Once these are under control, heavier forces can follow.The division’s soldiers are equipped with standard infantry weapons, anti-armour systems, and portable communications gear, supported when necessary by light artillery and aviation units. What distinguishes them is not the equipment itself, but how it is used, in fast-moving, high-pressure environments where decisions must be made quickly.Paratroopers are prepared to operate with limited support, adapt to unfamiliar terrain, and coordinate with air and intelligence assets. Their role often involves stabilising a situation long enough for broader operations to take shape.

The human element behind rapid deployment

Behind the operational capabilities are soldiers trained for some of the most demanding roles in the military. Members of the 82nd Airborne must be ready to deploy on short notice, often with little clarity about the conditions they will face.Airborne training itself is physically and mentally rigorous, requiring precision, discipline, and confidence under pressure. Once deployed, paratroopers may find themselves operating in fragmented environments, where units are spread out and communication is limited.This demands a high degree of independence. Soldiers are expected to assess situations quickly, make decisions in real time, and maintain cohesion under stress. It is this combination of training and mindset that enables the division to function effectively in the early stages of complex operations.

A force defined by its first move

The 82nd Airborne Division’s role is defined by timing. It is not designed to sustain long, heavy campaigns on its own, but to act at the critical moment when action is first required. Its purpose is to enter quickly, secure key objectives, and create the conditions for broader operations.This makes it one of the most strategically valuable units in the US military. Its presence signals readiness, its movement reflects intent, and its capabilities provide flexibility in uncertain situations.