Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on Friday named new military commanders following the death of top security officials in Israeli airstrikes on Tehran and other cities.
According to reports from Iranian media, the appointments came just hours after a series of coordinated airstrikes by Israel targeted key military and nuclear installations across Iran.
Among those killed were the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, Gen. Mohammad Bagheri; Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Gen. Hossein Salami; and Gen. Gholam-Ali Rashid, who headed the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters.
In a swift response, Khamenei appointed Gen. Abdolrahim Mousavi as the new Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, Gen. Mohammad Pakpour as the new IRGC Commander, and Gen. Ali Shadmani to lead the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Command.
Prior to their elevation, Mousavi was the head of Iran’s regular army, Pakpour led the IRGC’s Ground Force, while Shadmani served as Deputy Coordinator at Khatam al-Anbiya.
The airstrikes also reportedly claimed the lives of six top nuclear scientists, including Mohammad-Mehdi Tehranchi and Fereydoun Abbasi, a former head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organisation. A number of civilian casualties were also recorded, though exact figures were not disclosed.
In a strongly worded statement, Ayatollah Khamenei condemned the Israeli strikes, describing them as a “crime against Iran” and warning that the Zionist regime would face “severe punishment” in due time.
The situation remains tense as the risk of further escalation between the two countries continues to draw global concern.
