Iran Watch

Iran moved quickly Tuesday to install a new top security official, appointing Mohammad Baqer Zolqadr as secretary of the Supreme National Security Council following the killing of Ali Larijani in last week’s strike.

The announcement, shared by the Iranian president’s deputy of communications on X, marks one of Tehran’s most significant leadership reshuffles in the wake of escalating turmoil at the highest levels of government.

Zolqadr, a longtime insider with deep roots in Iran’s security establishment, steps into a position that sits at the center of the country’s most critical decisions. A former commander in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, he is widely viewed as a hardline figure with decades of experience across multiple pillars of the regime.

His appointment comes at a moment when Iran’s leadership is under intense pressure, both internally and across the region. By elevating a figure closely tied to the Revolutionary Guard and the broader security apparatus, Tehran appears to be signaling a focus on continuity, discipline and control following a series of high-profile losses.

The Supreme National Security Council plays a central role in shaping Iran’s military and foreign policy strategy. Chaired by President Masoud Pezeshkian, the council includes senior officials from across the government, military and intelligence sectors. While it helps coordinate key decisions, ultimate authority still rests with the country’s supreme leader.

The Iranian regime is issuing a stark warning to the world, threatening to unleash a “new, secret weapon” that it claims will immediately “bring an end” to the conflict in the Middle East.

The threat comes after President Donald Trump announced a temporary halt to U.S. strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure following what he described as “very good” peace talks with Tehran.

Regime Issues Ominous Warning

Iranian Major General Abdollahi delivered the regime’s warning in blunt terms:

“The use of a new, secret weapon will begin soon and it will bring an end to the enemy’s operations.”

The statement was amplified by Iran’s state-aligned Fars News Agency, which is closely tied to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

An Iranian official speaking to the outlet rejected any suggestion of diplomacy with President Trump:

“There is no direct or indirect contact with Trump.”

The Latin patriarch of Jerusalem has announced that at least some traditional Holy Week observances have been canceled or postponed as the military conflict in the Holy Land rages on.

On Sunday, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa issued a statement to note that the ongoing war in the region and the “restrictions” imposed as a result will not permit the faithful “to experience the traditional Lenten journey in Jerusalem.”

‘The empty tomb is the seal of the victory of life over hatred, of mercy over sin.’

In particular, the traditional Palm Sunday procession from Jerusalem to the Mount of Olives has been canceled, he said. The Chrism Mass, a Mass traditionally offered during Holy Week, during which a bishop consecrates sacred oils, has been “postponed to a date to be determined.”

Donald Trump has claimed the US and Iran have held talks in which the two sides had “major points of agreement”, and speculated that a deal could soon be done to end the war, a claim contradicted by Tehran.

“We don’t even know if Iran gets that money,” Trump said. “Frankly, I think it’s very hard for them to get it, but you have ships that are out there that load it up with oil.”

Rather than keep it there, I would rather see it go to the system,” the president said. “Any small amount of money that Iran gets is not going to have any difference in this war. But I want to have the system be lubricated.”

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced the easing of sanctions on Iranian oil Friday, as oil supplies have been limited due to Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

And then, this morning — just 12 hours before the deadline ended — the president abruptly pulled the plug:

But did you notice the timing?

Trump delivered the ultimatum on Friday evening, after the U.S. markets had closed for the week. And he canceled his ultimatum on Monday morning, just before the U.S. markets reopened.

And the new five-day deadline? Why, it conveniently begins after the U.S. markets close on Friday!

None of this was coincidental.

Meanwhile, Iran quickly claimed victory:

🚨 #BREAKING
Trump, fearing Iran’s response, backed down from his 48-hour ultimatum:
‘I told the Department of Defense not to carry out any attacks on Iran’s energy infrastructure for the time being’ https://t.co/XIGrdtIPKE

— IRIB (Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting) (@iribnews_irib) March 23, 2026

Trump’s comments came shortly after Iranian state media reported that there were no “direct or indirect” talks with his administration.

The president said he did not know what the state-run media outlets were talking about and suggested they did not know the latest information, according to Bartiromo.

“It’s hard to get any information there because the U.S. is blowing up so much of their infrastructure,” he told the Fox News host.

The missile launches, though unsuccessful, are hugely significant, likely changing many countries’ calculus regarding Tehran.

In a lengthy Truth Social post on Friday, President Donald Trump laid out the U.S. objectives for winding down the conflict with Iran and re-opening the vital Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint responsible for handling 20 percent of global oil exports and large quantities of other valuable commodities.

“We are getting very close to meeting our objectives as we consider winding down our great Military efforts in the Middle East with respect to the Terrorist Regime of Iran,” the president wrote. He went on to list a number of objectives for the operation, many of which have already been achieved, according to the Pentagon.