India, March 24 -- Iran has appointed Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr as the new secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, according to media reports.

Zolghadr, a former commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, replaces Ali Larijani, who was reportedly killed in a recent airstrike. He has previously served as the secretary of Iran's Expediency Council.

Larijani's death marks a significant shift in Iran's top leadership at a time of heightened regional tensions.

Meanwhile, Donald Trump is reportedly pursuing a renewed diplomatic initiative with Iran in an effort to ease tensions in West Asia. According to officials cited by Reuters, Washington is keen to reopen negotiations with Tehran.

However, senior Israeli officials h...