Iran's Khamenei Names New Top Brass After High-Rank Officials Killed In Israeli Airstrikes

Last Updated:June 13, 2025, 15:05 IST

Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei appointed Mohammad Pakpour as the new IRGC commander, replacing Hossein Salami, who was killed in Israeli airstrikes

The appointments assume significance as Tehran prepares for retaliation against Israel, which used over 200 fighter jets to strike nuclear facilities and other military installations.  (Photos: X)

Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei swiftly appointed new Revolutionary Guards and armed forces chiefs to replace those killed in targeted Israeli strikes on Friday.

In separate decrees, Khamenei named Mohammad Pakpour to replace Hossein Salami as commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and Abdolrahim Mousavi to replace Mohammad Bagheri as chief of the armed forces general staff.

The appointments assume significance as Tehran prepares for retaliation against Israel, which used over 200 fighter jets to strike nuclear facilities and other military installations. 

Israel-Iran Conflict LIVE: Iran Says Israel Attack ‘Declaration Of War’

Top Iranian Commanders Killed in Israeli Strikes

Israel’s unprecedented Operation Rising Lion has claimed the lives of several of Iran’s most influential military and security leaders, in what analysts are calling one of the most significant blows to Tehran’s defence establishment in decades.

Among those killed was Major General Hossein Salami, the commander of Iran’s elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). As head of the IRGC — Iran’s most powerful military arm — Salami was a key figure in shaping the country’s regional military strategy and reported directly to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Known for his hardline rhetoric, Salami was considered one of the most powerful men in Iran.

Also confirmed dead is Major General Mohammad Bagheri, who had served as the chief of staff of Iran’s armed forces since 2016. Under his leadership, Iran’s military, estimated by the Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) to have over 500,000 active personnel, maintained tight coordination through the General Staff — the country’s highest military body. A 2019 U.S. Treasury document described the General Staff as responsible for implementing military policy and coordinating activities across all branches of the armed forces.

The strikes also killed Ali Shamkhani, a senior advisor to Khamenei and one of Iran’s most prominent diplomatic figures in recent years. Shamkhani previously served as the secretary of Iran’s Supreme Security Council for a decade (2013–2023) and was a key player in Iran’s foreign relations, including the historic 2023 China-brokered deal that restored diplomatic ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia. His death was confirmed by Iran’s state TV network IRINN.

Shamkhani, a former IRGC commander and defense minister, was regarded as a pragmatic voice in Iran’s security establishment and had earned recognition in diplomatic circles in both Washington and Europe.

Tehran, Iran

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