Iran has reportedly appointed Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi as the new commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), according to Iranian media, as Tehran signals a major escalation following US-Israeli strikes. The death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei shook Iran’s political and military leadership.
The announced appointment comes at a time of rising tensions in the Middle East, with Iranian officials warning of widespread retaliation and state media carrying statements indicating a widening confrontation involving Israeli and US military assets in the region.
Iranian media reports that Vahidi has been appointed commander of the IRGC
Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi has been named the new commander-in-chief of the IRGC, Iran’s Daily Iran News has claimed, marking one of the most consequential leadership changes in Iran’s powerful military establishment in recent years.
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Iranian authorities have yet to issue a detailed official decree publicly outlining the appointment, but the announced move follows a significant disruption of Iran’s command structure following recent US and Israeli strikes targeting senior military and political figures.
The IRGC, an elite force tasked with protecting the Islamic Republic and projecting Iranian influence abroad, plays a central role in Tehran’s security strategy and regional operations.
IRGC warns of ‘most massive and powerful offensive operation’
In a statement carried by Iranian state media, the Revolutionary Guards announced preparations for a large-scale retaliatory campaign.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it planned to launch what it described as “the most massive and powerful offensive operation in the history of the Islamic Republic” targeting Israeli and US military bases across the region.
The declaration signals a potential expansion of hostilities beyond direct exchanges, raising concerns among regional governments and global markets about the risk of a wider conflict.
Reports of a missile attack near a CIA facility in Dubai
Amid escalating rhetoric, the media reported that an Iranian missile hit a CIA facility in Dubai on Sunday morning. Independent confirmation of the claim remains limited, and authorities have not publicly specified the extent of damage or casualties.
The reported attack follows increased drone and missile activity in the Persian Gulf, underscoring how quickly the conflict can spread beyond the primary theater of confrontation.
IRGC statement refers to Khamenei’s “proud martyrdom”
In an official statement released during live updates surrounding the conflict, the IRGC expressed both mourning and celebration for what it called the “proud martyrdom” of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
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The statement described the supreme leader as a “devout scholar, the standard-bearer of the martyrs of the Islamic revolution and the rightful representative of Imam al-Mahdi.”
The language reflects the ideological frameworks often used by Iranian authorities when talking about senior figures killed in the conflict, while reinforcing calls for national mobilization.
Who is Ahmad Vahidi?
Ahmad Vahidi is a longtime figure in Iran’s security establishment and one of the country’s most experienced military strategists.
Vahidi, a founding member of the IRGC, previously commanded the Quds Force – the external operations arm responsible for Iran’s regional military networks – and later served as defense minister. Known for his deep ties to Iran’s security apparatus, he played a role in shaping Tehran’s doctrine of asymmetric warfare and regional alliances.
His announced promotion to commander-in-chief would put him at the center of Iran’s military response during one of the most volatile moments in the Islamic Republic’s history.
Why Appointments Matter
The shift in IRGC leadership comes as Iran’s chain of command appears under strain following targeted strikes against senior officials and the death of Khamenei. Analysts say the installation of an experienced security official could signal Tehran’s intention to consolidate control and prepare for a sustained confrontation rather than an immediate de-escalation.
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The IRGC’s influence extends far beyond conventional military operations and includes missile programs, intelligence networks and powerful economic holdings in Iran.
The change in leadership at its head therefore has consequences not only for the strategy on the battlefield, but also for Iran’s internal political balance.
