IRGC Commander: 'Islam Will Rule the World' in Victory over US and Israel

Newly appointed IRGC Commander-in-Chief Lieutenant General Ahmad Vahidi declared that Iran has seized the military initiative in its confrontation with the US and Israel, proclaiming Islam's ability to rule the world. He called for a global uprising of 'oppressed peoples' amid the crisis around the Strait of Hormuz. Vahidi's appointment, who previously led the Quds Force, signals a course toward escalation.

Newly appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Lieutenant General Ahmad Vahidi, delivered a speech marking the start of the third month of the Islamic calendar, Rabi' al-awwal, claiming a successful seizure of the military initiative in the standoff with the US and Israel. According to the IRGC-affiliated Iranian news agency Tasnim News Agency, the security chief summarized a six-month military campaign, stating that Iranian units 'imposed their will on the enemy' through innovative combat methods in extreme climatic conditions—from the southern islands of the Persian Gulf to the northern highlands. In his address to the ranks of the army, police, Basij militia, and intelligence, Vahidi offered a broad ideological assessment of the conflict. According to reports from the opposition outlet Iran International, the IRGC chief directly proclaimed the possibility of establishing global supremacy of the Islamic world, emphasizing that 'Iran's combat path has proven Islam's ability to rule the world.' He compared current operations to key historical battles of early Islam at Badr and Khaybar, asserting that under the leadership of Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, the Islamic Republic has 'opened the gates of uprising for all oppressed peoples.' Vahidi's appointment, officially taking command of the IRGC on August 10, and his uncompromising rhetoric came amid an acute geopolitical crisis around the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran links the normalization of the situation in the waterway to a complete cessation of US military operations, lifting of sanctions, and payment of compensation. Vahidi's experience, having previously led the Quds special forces, the Ministry of Defense, and the Interior Ministry, and being wanted by Argentina via Interpol for organizing the 1994 AMIA Jewish cultural center bombing, points to Iran's leadership course toward maximum escalation and refusal of diplomatic concessions to Washington.