Iran appoints six senior military commanders in major reshuffle

Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has formally appointed six senior military commanders, cementing a major reshuffle of the country's defense leadership as Tehran rebuilds its command structure following months of conflict with the United States and Israel. The decrees, issued on August 10, 2026, fill key positions across the armed forces, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and the Basij paramilitary force, signaling a consolidation of power and a preparation for a prolonged confrontation.

The appointments replace or formalize roles left vacant after the deaths of several top officers in strikes that began the conflict on February 28, 2026. Major General Ali Abdollahi was named Chief of the Armed Forces General Staff, succeeding Lieutenant General Abdolrahim Mousavi, who was killed in the initial strikes. Abdollahi, who previously commanded the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, has been tasked with completing the integration of that joint command structure into the general staff to centralize military coordination. Brigadier General Kioumars Heydari was appointed as his deputy.

In a significant move, Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi was promoted to major...