In a historic shake-up after Israeli airstrikes eliminated some of Iran’s most senior military commanders, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has named Major General Amir Hatami as Iran’s new Chief Commander of the Army. The move is a pivotal point for Iran’s military, which remains stunned from the loss of General Mohammad Hossein Bagheri and General Hossein Salami—two essential pillars in Iran’s military hierarchy.
General Abdolrahim Mousavi, previously the head of the army, has been named the new Chief of the Armed Forces, stepping into the role formerly held by Bagheri. Meanwhile, leadership of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has passed to Mohammad Pakpour, who now succeeds Salami.
Amir Hatami’s Background
Major General Hatami, 59, has deep roots within Iran’s conventional military, the Artesh. He previously served as the Defence Minister between 2013 and 2021 during President Hassan Rouhani’s administration. His appointment as Defence Minister drew attention at the time because he was the first Artesh-affiliated minister in more than 20 years—breaking from the tradition of appointing IRGC figures to that post.
Hatami is an alumnus of a number of Iran’s top military schools, such as the Imam Ali Officers’ Academy, AJA University of Command and Staff, and the National Defense University. During his time as a military officer, he has served in some of the most senior command roles in Iran’s army and is a veteran of the Iran-Iraq war, commonly known locally as the “Sacred Defence.”
A Strategic Signal Amid Turmoil
His return to a top military position is being seen as a potential rebalancing of power in favour of Iran’s traditional armed forces. The IRGC has long held dominant influence, but Hatami’s new role could indicate a shift. Ayatollah Khamenei praised Hatami’s “dedication, competence, and experience,” and urged him to “enhance Iran’s combat readiness and strengthen the ideological and spiritual foundations of the military.”
This succession has been done during a period of increased tension. Israeli strikes on Tehran killed senior commanders from the Artesh and the IRGC, and it is one of the largest attacks to have occurred within Iranian territory in years. The sudden departure of these individuals seems to have accelerated the appointments, with Iran vying to reestablish stability within its military command in the face of continued regional unrest.
Gen Abdolrahim Mousavi
General Abdolrahim Mousavi, who is now taking over command of the entire military, had previously been the Commander-in-Chief of the Army. He is listed on several international sanctions lists, including those of the United States, European Union, United Kingdom, and Australia. These sanctions are for his supposed involvement in serious human rights abuses.
In 2023, the U.S. sanctions froze any assets he may have within its reach. The European Union’s sanctions likewise referred to his actions in putting down anti-government protests. Human rights group United Against Nuclear Iran has been vocal about his track record.
The appointment of Amir Hatami indicates a potential realignment within the defence establishment in Iran. Confronted with a leadership crisis and increasing regional hostility, Iran opted for an experienced Artesh commander with ministerial experience. Whether that change of leadership can ensure domestic stability without fuelling additional conflict in West Asia is a question still to be answered—but the trend seems less ideological than pragmatic currently.