Iran’s Supreme Leader Names Abdollahi Military Chief, Vahidi Guards Commander

Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has reshuffled the country’s top military leadership, appointing Revolutionary Guards General Ali Abdollahi as chief of staff of the armed forces.

Khamenei also appointed Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi as the new commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), elevating him to the rank of major general.

The appointments were announced on Monday through a statement published on Khamenei’s official website.

Abdollahi previously served as head of the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, Iran’s inter-branch military command responsible for coordinating operations among the country’s armed forces.

The changes mark Khamenei’s first major senior military appointments since he assumed the position of supreme leader. The reshuffle is expected to strengthen his influence over Iran’s military establishment as the country faces heightened regional tensions.