Iran's Khamenei Appoints New Senior Military Commanders in Restructure

Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has issued decrees appointing and confirming several senior military commanders across the Armed Forces General Staff, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and the Basij.

The appointments mark the most significant formal consolidation of Iran's defense leadership since top command posts were left vacant following U.S. and Israeli strikes on February 28.

General Staff Restructuring

Major General Pilot Ali Abdollahi has been named Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, filling the vacancy created by the death of Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi.

Abdollahi, an IRGC veteran who previously led the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, has been tasked with enhancing operational readiness, countering modern and cognitive threats, and integrating joint staff operations.

Regular Army officer Brigadier General Kiumars Heydari, former commander of Army Ground Forces, was appointed Deputy Chief of the General Staff.

Heydari's appointment introduces representation from the regular military alongside IRGC officers at the head of the General Staff.

IRGC and Security Command

Major General Ahmad Vahidi was formally confirmed as Commander-in-Chief of the IRGC and promoted in rank.

Vahidi, who previously served as Defense Minister and Interior Minister, had held the post on an interim basis following the death of Mohammad Pakpour.

Major General Mostafa Izadi, former Deputy for Strategic Affairs and Oversight at the General Staff, has been appointed Deputy Commander of the IRGC.

Internal Security and Naval Appointments

Hojjat al-Islam Hussein Taeb, a former head of the IRGC Intelligence Organization, was appointed to lead the Basij Organization of the Oppressed.

Taeb, a senior security official closely aligned with the Supreme Leader, returns to lead the paramilitary force after previously commanding it from 2007 to 2009.

In naval operations, Rear Admiral Ali Azmaei was formalized as Commander of the IRGC Navy, having served as acting commander since March following the death of Alireza Tangsiri.

The decrees finalize leadership transitions across key operational branches as Tehran reorganizes its high command structure.