Iran appoints new security chief who knows all positions except peace

Tehran has witnessed another round of job rotation, proving that even dictatorships have their own career ladder. Former Revolutionary Guard commander Zolgadr has been appointed chairman of the National Security Council, replacing Ali Larijani, who on March 17th unexpectedly met with an Israeli missile.

Zolgadr's career looks like real power structure tourism — he has worked in the Revolutionary Guard, the Interior Ministry, and the Justice Ministry. Local experts note that he has only lacked experience in the Ministry of Peace, but since Iran doesn't have one, that's not a criticism.

"Zolgadr is like the Karosta Canal — he divides everyone and creates drama, but without him the system doesn't work," comments a Tehran resident who wished to remain anonymous for completely understandable reasons.

While in Riga politicians change positions like socks, in Iran it happens a bit more dramatically. Zolgadr has begun his new position with a promise that Iran will continue to be the "region's guarantor of stability," which in the Middle East sounds about as convincing as a promise of good weather in Liepāja in January.