Abdolrahim Mousavi as chief of the armed forces general staff (top) and Mohammad Pakpour, new commander of the IRGC (bottom.) (Credit: Iranian Students' News Agency)
BEIRUT— Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei swiftly appointed new heads of the Revolutionary Guard and the armed forces to replace senior commanders killed in targeted Israeli airstrikes on Friday morning.
In two separate decrees, Khamenei named Mohammad Pakpour as the new commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), succeeding Hossein Salami, and appointed Abdolrahim Mousavi as chief of the armed forces general staff, replacing Mohammad Bagheri.
Who is Mohammad Pakpour, the new commander of the IRGC,?
Born in 1961 in Arak, Pakpour has been involved with the IRGC since the early days of the Islamic Revolution, particularly in Iran’s Kurdistan Province. A veteran of the eight-year Iran-Iraq War, he has held numerous senior military positions, including five years as head of Army Operations Command, and leadership roles in the 8th Najaf Division and the 31st Ashura Division. He later headed the army’s Northern Command.
Pakpour holds a PhD in Political Geography. Over the years, he has been responsible for leading counter-terrorism efforts in northwestern Iran and securing southeastern regions. He has also overseen major military exercises aimed at enhancing regional security and showcasing new combat tactics.
During a military drill, Pakpour emphasized the IRGC’s role in promoting regional stability and advancing the capabilities of Iran’s armed forces. He also praised drone technologies like the Hemaseh for enhancing the IRGC’s readiness and operational consistency.
On June 24, 2019, the U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned Pakpour, freezing his assets under U.S. jurisdiction and prohibiting American entities from conducting business with him.
Who is Abdolrahim Mousavi, chief of the armed forces general staff?
Born in 1960 in Qom, Mousavi is a seasoned Iranian military officer. As of March 2024, he was serving as commander-in-chief of Iran’s regular army (Artesh), a position he had held since Aug. 21, 2017. He was appointed chief of the armed forces general staff following Bagheri’s death in the Israeli strike on Friday.
Previously, Mousavi served as the army’s second-in-command between 2008 and 2016, and as deputy chief of the armed forces general staff. On March 10, 2024, he was awarded the Order of Fath (Victory Medal) by Khamenei for his role in strengthening Iran’s defense and deterrence capabilities. On the same day, Salami, his IRGC counterpart at the time, received the same honor.
Israel carried out an unprecedented series of attacks against Iran in the early hours of Friday morning. Sending 200 fighter jets, Israel struck Iran's largest uranium enrichment plant, Natanz, as well as, according to the New York Times, at least six military bases around Tehran, including Parchin. Residences in two ultra-secure complexes housing military commanders were also bombed, in addition to several residential buildings in Tehran