Iran has reportedly named 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 attacks by the United States and Israel. The death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, which has shaken Iran’s political and military leadership.
The reported appointment comes amid rising tensions across the Middle East, with Iranian officials warning of large-scale retaliation and state media publishing statements suggesting an escalating confrontation involving Israel and US military assets in the region.
Iranian media report that Vahidi was appointed IRGC commander
Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi has been appointed new commander-in-chief of the IRGC, Iranian media Iran Daily News he stated, marking what would represent one of the most significant leadership changes within Iran’s powerful military establishment in recent years.
Iranian authorities have yet to issue a detailed official decree publicly outlining the appointment, but the reported move follows a significant disruption within Iran’s command structure following recent US and Israeli attacks on 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 regional security strategy and operations.
IRGC warns of “most massive and powerful offensive operation”
In a statement carried by Iranian state media, the Revolutionary Guard announced preparations for a broad retaliation campaign.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it plans to launch what it described as the “most massive and powerful offensive operation in the history of the Islamic Republic,” targeting Israel and US military bases across the region.
The statement signals a possible expansion of hostilities beyond direct exchanges, raising concerns among regional governments and global markets about the risk of broader conflict.
Reports of missile attack near CIA facility in Dubai
Amid growing rhetoric, media reports said an Iranian missile hit a CIA facility in Dubai on Sunday morning. Independent confirmation of the claim remains limited and authorities have not publicly detailed the extent of the damage or victims.
The reported attack comes after intense drone and missile activity across the Gulf, underscoring how quickly the conflict may be spreading beyond the main theaters of confrontation.
IRGC statement refers to Khamenei’s “proud martyrdom”
In an official statement released during live updates on the conflict, the IRGC expressed both mourning and celebration for what it called the “proud martyrdom” of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The statement described the supreme leader as a “devout scholar, standard bearer of the martyrs of the Islamic Revolution and legitimate deputy of Imam al-Mahdi.”
The language reflects the ideological framework that Iranian authorities typically use when referring to senior figures killed in the conflict, while reinforcing calls for national mobilization.
Who is Ahmad Vahidi?
Ahmad Vahidi is a long-serving figure within 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 has played a role in shaping Tehran’s asymmetric warfare doctrine and regional alliances.
His supposed promotion to commander in chief would place him at the center of Iran’s military response during one of the most volatile times in the Islamic Republic’s history.
Why is the appointment important?
The IRGC leadership change comes at a time when Iran’s chain of command appears to be under strain following targeted attacks on senior officials and the death of Khamenei. Analysts say installing an experienced security figure could signal Tehran’s intention to consolidate control and prepare for a sustained confrontation rather than an immediate reduction in tensions.
The IRGC’s influence extends far beyond conventional military operations, encompassing missile programs, intelligence networks, and powerful economic holdings within Iran.
Therefore, a change in leadership carries implications not only for battlefield strategy but also for Iran’s internal political balance.