International: Tehran is abuzz with significant developments as Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, moves swiftly to reconstitute the nation’s military hierarchy. This comes in the wake of devastating Israeli strikes, dubbed ‘Operation Rising Lion’ by international media, which reportedly claimed the lives of several high-ranking Iranian military officials, including the heads of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the air force, alongside a former national security chief. The scale of these losses marks an unprecedented blow to Iran’s top brass.
In a series of pivotal appointments, Ayatollah Khamenei has named Major General Amir Hatami as the new Chief Commander of the Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Hatami, a seasoned veteran who previously served as Iran’s Defence Minister from 2013 to 2021, received high praise from the Supreme Leader. According to state-run media IRNA, Khamenei’s official decree lauded Hatami’s “dedication, competence, and experience,” while also urging a “transformative and revolutionary approach” under his command. The Supreme Leader also extended his appreciation to Major General Seyyed Abdolrahim Mousavi for his “sincere and valuable efforts” during his tenure.
Further dramatic shifts include the appointment of Major General Seyyed Abdolrahim Mousavi as the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces (CSAF). This promotion follows the reported assassination of the former CSAF, General Mohammad Hossein Bagheri, at the hands of what Khamenei, in a post on X, referred to as the “evil Zionist regime.” The Supreme Leader’s tweet underscored Mousavi’s “meritorious services & valuable experience” as the basis for his new role.
The shake-up extends to the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), with Major General Mohammad Pakpour now at its helm. This appointment comes after the killing of Lieutenant General Hossein Salami, the former Commander-in-Chief of the IRGC, in the Israeli airstrike. Salami, a pivotal figure since 2019, had overseen the IRGC during Iran’s direct drone and missile attacks on Israel in April and October 2024. Khamenei, again taking to X, acknowledged Salami’s “martyrdom” and cited Pakpour’s “meritorious services and valuable experience” for his elevation to the top IRGC post.
The casualties of Operation Rising Lion, as reported by CNN, include some of Iran’s most influential military minds. Major General Hossein Salami, commander of the IRGC and a key figure in regional operations, was among them. Also killed was Major General Mohammad Bagheri, the former Chief of Staff of Iran’s Armed Forces, who played a central role in military coordination and foreign policy. The strike also claimed the life of Ali Shamkhani, a former national security chief and trusted advisor to Khamenei, who was instrumental in Iran’s recent diplomatic outreach. Additionally, Amir Ali Hajizadeh, head of the IRGC’s air force and reportedly the mastermind behind Iran’s missile attacks, also perished in what the Israeli military described as a strike on an underground command centre.
The escalation of hostilities saw Israel launching what it termed “pre-emptive” strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities on Friday. The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) clarified their actions on X, stating, “Iran is closer than ever to obtaining a nuclear weapon. Weapons of mass destruction in the hands of the Iranian regime are an existential threat to the State of Israel and the wider world. The State of Israel has no choice but to fulfil the obligation to act in defence of its citizens and will continue to do so everywhere it is required to do so.” In a swift response, Iran retaliated with drone and missile strikes on Tel Aviv, leading to continued counterstrikes from Israel, further intensifying the volatile regional situation.
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