Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
Iran Appoints New Military Chiefs After Israeli Airstrikes Kill Top Commanders
Following a series of devastating Israeli airstrikes that eliminated several senior military and nuclear officials, Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has announced a major shakeup in the country’s military hierarchy.
Local Iranian media reported that the overnight strikes on Friday targeted multiple locations in Tehran and other key cities. Among those killed were the Chief of Staff of Iran’s Armed Forces, Major General Mohammad Bagheri; Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC), Major General Hossein Salami; and Lieutenant General Gholam-Ali Rashid, head of the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters.
In response to the sudden vacuum in its top security architecture, Khamenei swiftly appointed new commanders to steer the country’s military and security operations.
Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi, who previously led Iran’s regular army, was elevated as the new Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces. Brigadier General Mohammad Pakpour, the former commander of the IRGC Ground Forces, now assumes leadership of the elite Revolutionary Guard. Additionally, Major General Ali Shadmani, who previously served as deputy coordinator at the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, has been appointed as its new head.
Apart from the military casualties, the Israeli strikes also claimed the lives of six prominent Iranian nuclear scientists, including Mohammad-Mehdi Tehranchi and Fereydoun Abbasi, according to local sources. Civilian fatalities were also reported, though specific figures remain unconfirmed as of press time.
Reacting to the attacks, the Iranian Supreme Leader condemned the Israeli offensive in strong terms, labeling it a “heinous crime against the Iranian nation.” Khamenei vowed that Israel would face “severe punishment” for its actions, hinting at possible retaliatory measures by Tehran.
The latest escalation has further heightened tensions in the already volatile Middle East, raising fears of a broader conflict between Iran and Israel, as both nations continue to engage in an intense shadow war marked by covert operations, proxy engagements, and direct strikes.
