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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Conflict & Security

Mojtaba Khamenei Appoints Two Generals to Lead Iran's Armed Forces and IRGC

From Republika · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified New plan
  • Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei appointed two generals to lead the Iranian Armed Forces and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
  • These appointments mark Mojtaba Khamenei's first senior military postings since succeeding his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who died in late February 2026.
  • Major General Ali Abdollahi was named chief of staff of the armed forces, and Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi became the IRGC's supreme commander.

Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has made his first significant military appointments since assuming leadership, naming two generals to head the Iranian Armed Forces and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). These appointments follow the death of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in late February 2026 due to attacks by the United States and Israel.

Major General Ali Abdollahi has been appointed as the chief of staff of the armed forces. Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi has also been appointed as the Supreme Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps with the rank of major general.

— Khamenei's websiteOfficial announcement of the new military appointments.

Major General Ali Abdollahi has been appointed as the chief of staff of the armed forces. Previously, Abdollahi led Khatam al-Anbiya, Iran's central cross-branch military command responsible for coordinating operations. He has issued threats against Iran's regional neighbors, stating that any country acting as a defense shield for the U.S. would face severe consequences.

Any country that functions as a defense shield for America will be swallowed by the fire of war.

— Ali AbdollahiMajor General Ali Abdollahi issuing a threat to regional countries perceived as supporting the U.S.

Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi has been appointed as the Supreme Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, with the rank of major general. Mohsen Rezaei, the former supreme commander of the IRGC, has been appointed as the head of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, replacing Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr. Rezaei, who led the IRGC from 1981 to 1997, including during the Iran-Iraq War, has held several high-ranking political positions and served as a military advisor to Mojtaba Khamenei.

Given the resignation of Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr from his position as Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council and his appointment to a new function, President Masoud Pezeshkian has appointed Mohsen Rezaei as the head of this body.

— Mehdi TabatabaeiPresidential spokesperson Mehdi Tabatabaei announcing Mohsen Rezaei's new role.

Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, also a former IRGC commander, will now serve as a political advisor to Mojtaba Khamenei. Zolghadr was appointed Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council in March 2026. Rezaei had previously emphasized the critical importance of controlling the Strait of Hormuz, describing it as more vital than dozens of atomic bombs.

Control over the Strait of Hormuz is more important than dozens of atomic bombs.

— Mohsen RezaeiMohsen Rezaei emphasizing the strategic significance of the Strait of Hormuz.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Republika in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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