The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced the name of its new Commander-in-Chief on Sunday (as per Indian Standard Time). Veteran military officer Ahmad Vahidi, former Minister of Defense and Minister of the Interior, was named the new commander-in-chief of the elite army. He was declared Commander-in-Chief after serving the IRGC as acting chief for six months.
Vahidi’s appointment came after his predecessor, former commander-in-chief Mohhamad Pakpour, was killed in the joint military operation launched by the United States and Israel. On Saturday, the United States and Israel launched the military operation codenamed ‘Operation Epic Fury (US codename)’ and Operation Lion’s Roar (Israel codename), targeting several Iranian military installations and government offices, and the offices of Iran’s top political commanders, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The 86-year-old leader, who had ruled the country since 1989, died in the military operation on Saturday, according to the Reuters news agency.
Pakpour became commander-in-chief of the IRGC last June following an Israeli airstrike that killed then-commander Hossein Salami. Vahidi was appointed deputy commander-in-chief at that time.
KHAMENEI’S KILLERS WILL BE PUNISHED, IRGC SAYS
Meanwhile, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has issued a stern warning against the United States and also Israel, amid the deaths of Supreme Leader Khamenei, Defense Minister Amir Nasirzadeh and Pakpour. The organization stated that Khamenei’s killers (the United States and Israel) would be punished in what it called “the most ferocious offensive operation in history.”
“The criminal and terrorist act of the evil governments of the United States and the Zionist regime is a clear violation of religious, ethical, legal and customary principles; therefore, the hand of revenge of the Iranian nation for the severe, decisive and regrettable punishment of the murderers of the Imam of the Ummah will not be loosened. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic and the great popular Basij will powerfully continue the path of their leader to defend the precious legacy of this great leader and they will stand firm against internal and external conspiracies and the punitive lesson for the aggressors against the Islamic homeland,” he said.
– Finish
