Iran Supreme Leader Appoints New IRGC Aerospace Chief After Israeli Strike

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has appointed Brigadier General Majid Mousavi as the new commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Force following the killing of the previous commander, General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, in an Israeli airstrike. The strike, which targeted military and nuclear sites as well as residential areas in Tehran, killed at least 78 people including senior military officials, nuclear scientists, and civilians. The appointments reflect Iran's efforts to restore leadership and strengthen its missile and drone capabilities amid escalating regional tensions. Iran has launched a retaliatory operation named "Wa'adah Sadiq 3," firing dozens of ballistic missiles at Israeli sites, resulting in casualties including Israeli citizens. Khamenei's decrees praise the slain commanders as martyrs and emphasize the strategic importance of continuing their work to bolster Iran's defense and deterrence capabilities. The conflict highlights a significant escalation between Israel and Iran, increasing fears of broader warfare in the Middle East.