Who are Tehran’s newly appointed military, IRGC chiefs? - explainer

Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei appointed six new military and IRGC officials, filling vacancies left by commanders killed in Israeli and US strikes. Ali Abdollahi becomes chief of staff, Ahmad Vahidi heads the IRGC, and others take key posts. The appointments consolidate Khamenei's control amid ongoing tensions.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei issued decrees on Monday appointing six military and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) officials to leadership positions, filling vacancies left by commanders killed in Israeli and US strikes during Operations Roaring Lion and Epic Fury. Ali Abdollahi was appointed as chief of staff of Iran's Armed Forces, with Kioumars Heydari as his deputy. Abdollahi, sanctioned by the US since 2020, has a long IRGC career and was a commander of the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters. Heydari is a regular military commander with little IRGC experience. Ahmad Vahidi was named head of the IRGC, with Mostafa Izadi as deputy. Vahidi is known for his role in planning Hezbollah's 1994 Buenos Aires bombing of the AMIA building. Ali Azmaei was named head of the IRGC Navy, replacing Alireza Tangsiri, killed in an airstrike in March. Hossein Taeb was named commander of the Basij paramilitary forces. Mohsen Rezaee was appointed as Khamenei's representative on the Supreme National Security Council, and Mohammed Bagher Zolghadr as political advisor. The appointments consolidate Khamenei's control over Iran's military and security apparatus amid ongoing regional tensions.