profiling irans new

Profiling Iran’s new wartime security and military command

Following intense regional conflict involving the United States and Israel, Iran’s Supreme Leader has restructured top security and defense establishment. The new decrees assign trusted and seasoned veterans to lead critical institutions. The list includes the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), the General Staff of the Armed Forces, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the IRGC Navy and the Basij paramilitary organization.

Mohsen Rezaei will be Head of the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC)

His role is of Secretary and Supreme Leader’s Representative to the SNSC (replacing Mohammad Baqer Zolqadr).

He’s from Khuzestan province. Rezaei was active in anti-Pahlavi underground movements prior to 1979. He also spent time in prison under the Shah’s regime. He studied mechanical engineering before being named the first formal commander of the IRGC in 1981 at age 27.

His expertise includes leading  IRGC through the eight-year Iran-Iraq War (1980–1988), remained at its helm until 1997. He subsequently served as secretary of the Expediency Council until 2021 and was Vice President for Economic Affairs under Ebrahim Raisi (2021–2023). Sanctioned by the US Treasury in 2020, Rezaei steps into the SNSC post following Zolqadr’s reassignment as political adviser.

Maj. Gen. Ali Abdollahi will be Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces

He is appointed as Chief of the General Staff, the supreme military coordinating body for both the regular military (Artesh) and the IRGC.

He belongs to northern Gilan province. Abdollahi fought as an IRGC commander in the 1980s and later served as deputy to Aerospace commander Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf between 1987 and 1991.

He has served as a senior law enforcement official in the early 2000s, governor of Semnan and Gilan provinces during Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s presidency, and deputy interior minister for security. Prior to this elevation, he commanded the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters. He succeeds Abdolrahim Mousavi.

 Brig. Gen. Kioumars Heydari will be  Deputy Chief of the General Staff

He is assigned the position of Deputy Chief of the General Staff (replacing Mohammad-Reza Gharaei Ashtiani).

He’s from Kermanshah province. Heydari brings an extensive career in the regular military (Artesh) rather than a pure IRGC background. He initially enlisted as a volunteer Basiji during the Iran-Iraq War before formally joining the army in 1984.

He has ccommanded egional army headquarters. He also served as deputy coordinator and later commander of the Army Ground Forces (2016–2025), and was appointed deputy commander of the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters. He has been sanctioned by OFAC, the European Union, and the United Kingdom.

Maj. Gen. Ahmad Vahidi as Commander-in-Chief of the IRGC

Vahidi will be Top Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (succeeding Mohammad Pakpour).

He is a native of Fars province. Vahidi joined the IRGC shortly after the 1979 Revolution and served on the front lines against Iraq.

Vahidi headed IRGC intelligence during the Iran-Iraq War and later became the first commander of the elite Quds Force. He has extensive political experience, having served as deputy defense minister, defense minister, interior minister, and president of the National Defence University. He was serving as deputy IRGC commander before being promoted to lead the Guard Corps.

 Maj. Gen. Mostafa Izadi as Deputy Commander of the IRGC

Izadi will be Deputy Commander of the IRGC (replacing Ahmad Vahidi).

A four-decade veteran of the Guard Corps who commanded forces in Kurdistan Province as well as the Hamzeh Sayyed al-Shohada and Najaf Ashraf headquarters during the Iran-Iraq War.

He has served in several post-war positions include IRGC deputy operations chief, IRGC Ground Forces commander, deputy chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces (1993–2006), and head of the Cyber and Emerging Threats Headquarters at Khatam al-Anbiya.

Rear Adm. Ali Ozamaei as Commander of the IRGC Navy

He will be Commander of the IRGC Naval Forces (succeeding Alireza Tangsiri).

Originally from Hormozgan province, Ozamaei entered service during the Iran-Iraq War before transferring into the naval branch.

He has served as deputy commander of the 1st Naval District and spent over a decade (2012–2025) commanding the 5th Naval District in Bandar Lengeh along the Persian Gulf. He was deputy navy commander before stepping into the top naval post during high-stakes maritime tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz.

Hossein Taeb as Commander of the Basij Organisation

He will be the head of the Basij Volunteer Paramilitary Force (succeeding Alireza Soleimani).

He was born in Tehran, Taeb joined the IRGC in the aftermath of the revolution.

Hossein Taeb has formerly served as IRGC deputy for cultural affairs, commander of the Basij, and spent over a decade (2009–2022) as head of the powerful IRGC Intelligence Organisation. He was later assigned as an advisor to the IRGC commander and is subject to US State Department sanctions.

Similar Posts

  • | | |

    Iran vows to continue strikes as regional tensions rise

    Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Secretary Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr said Saturday that Iranian forces would continue their attacks until they defeat their enemies and take what he called revenge for the deaths of innocent children in Minab and Lamerd. State news agency IRNA quoted Zolghadr as saying Iran would also seek retribution for the US-Israeli war and the killing of schoolchildren. Iranian authorities say an attack on a girls’ school in Minab caused the highest number of casualties, killing 168 people and injuring 95, most of them children. Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said there was no military solution to the growing conflict between Saudi Arabia and Houthi rebels in Yemen. In an interview with the state-run Iran Daily, Araghchi called for dialogue to address tensions involving Yemen, the Bab al-Mandab Strait and other regional disputes. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei also accused the European Union of hypocrisy over its criticism of Iran’s human rights record. Responding to EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, Baghaei alleged that European support for military actions against Iran contradicted the bloc’s stated commitment to human rights. He also accused the EU of failing to condemn attacks that Iran says have targeted civilians and critical infrastructure. Iranian authorities reported no new US strikes overnight into Saturday, marking a pause after nearly two weeks of attacks. Health Ministry spokesman Hossein Kermanpour described the night as peaceful. According to Iranian figures, the conflict has killed more than 3,400 people in Iran, while casualties have also been reported in Israel and other countries across the region. In a separate development, Egypt’s foreign minister held talks with his Iranian and Omani counterparts on efforts to reduce regional tensions and strengthen maritime security.

  • | |

    Israeli strikes draw Lebanese President’s warning

    Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Saturday condemned Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon, calling them a “clear message” about the ongoing negotiations between Beirut and Tel Aviv ahead of the next round of US-sponsored talks in Rome early next month, AFP reported. Aoun criticised what he described as continued Israeli attacks and repeated violations of the framework agreement and international law protecting civilians. He said an Israeli strike on a house in the southern town of Ansar killed an entire family. At least seven people were killed and three others injured when Israeli warplanes struck a house on the outskirts of Ansar in Nabatieh district early Saturday, Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA) reported. The strike destroyed the building, while rescue teams searched the rubble for victims and survivors. NNA said the attack marked the first Israeli airstrike to reach this far inside Lebanese territory since a ceasefire took effect two months ago. Israeli aircraft also carried out several strikes on Ali al-Taher hill near Nabatieh al-Fawqa. The strikes came despite a framework agreement signed between Lebanon and Israel on June 26 under US sponsorship. The agreement calls for Israel to gradually withdraw from occupied Lebanese territory while the Lebanese army deploys in those areas and armed groups, including Hezbollah, disarm. According to the report, Israel continues to hold parts of southern Lebanon, including areas it occupied during earlier conflicts. During the latest escalation, Israeli forces advanced more than 10 kilometres into Lebanese territory. Lebanese authorities say the Israeli assault, which began on March 2, has killed 4,335 people and wounded 12,277 others. Aoun warned that the continued violations could undermine the negotiation process and further threaten the fragile ceasefire.

  • | |

    Beyond faith and defense

    The historical partnership between Pakistan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia stands as one of the most enduring bilateral relationships in the contemporary Muslim world. This history is anchored in shared Islamic values and a profound spiritual connection to the holy sanctuaries of Makkah and Medina. This alliance predates the modern era of Saudi oil wealth. The bond was formalized through the landmark Treaty of Friendship in 1951. It established an early blueprint for solidarity, ideological alignment and mutual support during crisis. Over the past seven decades, this connection has expanded from religious affinity into strategic collaboration. The Art of Strategic Neutrality Defense cooperation forms a central pivot of the bilateral relationship. Since the 1960s, the Pakistani military has played an instrumental role in advising, training, and building the infrastructure of the Saudi armed forces. Contingents of Pakistani troops have historically been deployed inside the Kingdom for defensive purposes, notably safeguarding the Holy Mosques during regional upheavals such as Operation Desert Storm. Moreover, thousands of Saudi defense personnel have undergone advanced training in Pakistani military institutions over the decades. However, the military relationship has also required careful navigation.  When conflict erupted in Yemen (2015), Pakistan’s parliament adopted a stance of strict neutrality to avoid inter-state Middle Eastern disputes, particularly while its domestic forces were actively engaged in counter-terrorism campaigns like Operation Zarb-e-Azb. Despite initial friction, Riyadh acknowledged Islamabad’s geopolitical constraints. This mature understanding was demonstrated when former Pakistani Army Chief General Raheel Sharif was appointed to lead the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC), focusing strictly on combating global extremism rather than taking sides in regional power struggles. Economic Interdependence and Human Capital Beyond defense, economic cooperation has provided crucial stability to Pakistan’s financial landscape. Saudi Arabia has repeatedly acted as a financial cushion. The country delivered multi-billion-dollar bailout packages, balance-of-payment assistance and deferred-payment oil supplies during economic hardship. Historically, this financial dynamic was complemented by administrative leadership. Pakistani economist Anwar Ali served as the Governor of the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency from 1958 to 1974. He played a pivotal role in organizing the Kingdom’s modern financial infrastructure. Human capital remains another essential driver of this relationship. Over 2.7 million Pakistani expatriates reside and work within Saudi Arabia. Spanning critical sectors such as healthcare, engineering, construction, and information technology, these workers contribute directly to Saudi Arabia’s physical and economic development while generating vital remittance flows that sustain Pakistan’s domestic economy. Furthermore, administrative initiatives like the “Road to Makkah” project and reductions in visa fees have significantly streamlined pilgrimage procedures for millions of Pakistani citizens traveling for Hajj and Umrah. Geo-Economics, Vision 2030, and the Future of CPEC As both nations adjust to global realities, the bilateral partnership is changing into modern geo-economic framework. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030. The Kingdom aims to diversify its economy away from oil dependency by investing in global supply chains. A key element of this transformation includes multi-billion-dollar investment commitments in Pakistan. Furthermore, a proposed mega-oil refinery at the deep-sea port of Gwadar.   Ultimately, geopolitical challenges occasionally test bilateral diplomatic alignment. However, the strategic, economic and institutional ties between Islamabad and Riyadh continue to adapt. After all, it’s a dynamic future built on mutual survival and shared prosperity.

  • | |

    Iran’s ultimatum to Gulf neighbors amid US standoff

    Geopolitical conflict in the Middle East reached a state of alert today following a direct diplomatic ultimatum from Tehran to neighboring Arab nations. Iranian authorities have issued an explicit warning to Gulf states, urging them to exert diplomatic leverage over the United States administration to curb aggressive posturing, or face severe regional consequences, including potential retaliatory actions targeting critical infrastructure and trade corridors. The ultimatum highlights the delicate tightrope walked by oil-rich nations in the Arabian Peninsula, who find themselves caught in the crossfire of renewed political and economic pressure campaigns. As global energy markets closely monitor the developing situation, Tehran’s warning serves as a stark reminder of how rapidly regional proxy disputes can evolve into broader threats to global supply chains and economic stability. A High-Stakes Regional Warning In recent communications conveyed through diplomatic channels, Iranian officials emphasized that Gulf nations can no longer claim strict neutrality while allowing their territories, airspace, or strategic partnerships to support foreign military or economic pressure campaigns. Tehran made it clear that if aggressive measures against its economic interests and sovereignty continue, the operational security of neighboring states could be compromised. The tone of the warning reflects Tehran’s strategy to leverage the economic vulnerabilities of its neighbors. By raising the prospect of disruptions to regional oil production facilities, shipping lanes through the Strait of Hormuz, and commercial hubs, Iran aims to compel Gulf leaders to actively advocate for de-escalation in Washington. The Dilemma Facing Gulf States For neighboring countries such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Kuwait, this ultimatum poses a major strategic dilemma. In recent years, these nations have pursued a dual policy: strengthening their defense alignments with Western partners while simultaneously opening diplomatic dialogue with Iran to reduce regional tensions. However, an intensified standoff severely limits their ability to maintain that equilibrium. Much of the Gulf’s economic diversification and energy output relies on uninterrupted commerce and stable maritime routes. Any direct target on infrastructure could disrupt worldwide energy prices and local economies. While these nations house key military installations and host international forces, they remain geographically exposed to short-range missile, drone, and naval capabilities possessed by regional forces. Gulf leadership must weigh the risks of pushing back against Western strategies versus the immediate security threats posed by an angered neighbor across the water. Global Energy Markets and Future Outlook The immediate ripple effects of these threats were felt across international markets, where Brent crude futures showed immediate volatility reflecting a built-in risk premium. Analysts warn that even minor disruptions in energy transport or localized incidents near vital waterways could trigger sharp price spikes, compounding existing global economic uncertainties.   As diplomatic envoys work behind the scenes to de-escalate the rhetoric, the situation remains fluid. The coming days will test whether Gulf states can successfully mediate between opposing forces to prevent localized tensions from spilling over into a wider, economically damaging regional conflict.

  • | |

    Saudi Arabia arrests suspects in major corruption cases

    Saudi Arabia’s Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority, known as Nazaha, has launched a series of investigations into alleged bribery, abuse of authority, and other corruption-related offenses, leading to the arrest of several government employees, businesspeople, and foreign nationals. According to officials, authorities arrested a businessman who allegedly offered a bribe of **1.6 million Saudi riyals** to secure the illegal clearance of two containers. In a separate case, investigators arrested an employee accused of accepting **200,000 riyals** in exchange for favors. Nazaha also reported action against an employee of the **Ministry of Health**, who allegedly received **900,000 riyals** in return for illegally awarding government projects. Authorities also arrested a person linked to a **Ministry of Energy project** for allegedly accepting a 200,000-riyal bribe. The anti-corruption agency further said that authorities arrested a former passport official over allegations of receiving **60,500 riyals** in bribes. A customs employee also faced arrest after investigators accused the official of accepting **55,000 riyals** in exchange for facilitating unlawful activities. Nazaha said its investigations also covered employees working in municipal bodies and other government institutions, along with several individuals involved in suspected corruption schemes. The authority continues to investigate the cases and has stressed that it will take legal action against anyone found involved in bribery, misuse of public office, or violations of government regulations. The latest arrests reflect Saudi Arabia’s ongoing efforts to strengthen oversight, protect public funds, and hold officials and private individuals accountable for corruption.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *