TEHRAN, Iran: Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has appointed Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi as its new commander-in-chief, state officials confirmed on Sunday.
Vahidi, who previously served as deputy chief of the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, is described as a close associate of the country’s late leadership.
Officials did not release further details following the announcement.
Earlier, the IRGC confirmed the death of its commander-in-chief, General Mohammad Pakpour, as a result of US and Israeli strikes on Iran.
A founding member of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Ahmad Vahidi previously led the Quds Force — the unit responsible for overseeing Iran’s external operations and regional military networks — and later served as defence minister.
In a separate but related development, Iranian media reported that Ayatollah Ali Reza Arafi has been appointed to the Leadership Council—a temporary body formed to carry out the duties of the Supreme Leader.
According to reports, the three-member interim council also includes the President of Iran and the head of the judiciary.
The formation of the council follows the provisions outlined in Article 111 of the Iranian Constitution, which governs procedures in the event of the death, resignation, or removal of the Supreme Leader.
The council will perform the Supreme Leader’s responsibilities until the Assembly of Experts convenes to elect a permanent successor.
While the Assembly is constitutionally required to select a new leader, no fixed deadline has been set for the decision.
If the required majority is not reached, the constitutional framework allows for the transitional mechanism to continue overseeing leadership duties temporarily.
