The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Sunday announced the appointment of veteran military officer Ahmad Vahidi as its new commander-in-chief, as per reports.
Vahidi, a former minister of defence and minister of interior, reportedly takes charge of the elite force after serving as its interim chief for the past six months. His elevation follows the death of his predecessor, Mohhamad Pakpour, who was killed in a joint military operation launched by the United States and Israel.
As per local reports, the operation, carried out on Saturday under the codenames ‘Operation Epic Fury’ (US) and ‘Operation Roar of the Lion’ (Israel), reportedly targeted several Iranian military installations, government offices and senior political figures. Among those killed was Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, according to Reuters. The 86-year-old cleric had led the country since 1989.
Pakpour had reportedly assumed the role of IRGC commander-in-chief last June after an Israeli airstrike killed the then-chief, Hossein Salami. Vahidi was appointed interim commander at that time.
In a strongly worded statement issued after the deaths of Khamenei, Defence Minister Amir Nasirzadeh and Pakpour, the IRGC reportedly warned both the United States and Israel of severe retaliation. The organisation described the attacks as a “criminal and terrorist act” and vowed what it termed “the most ferocious offensive operation in history”.
It added that the IRGC, the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic and the Basij would continue on the path of their leader, defend his legacy and stand firm against what it described as internal and external conspiracies, while delivering a punitive response to the aggressors.
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