Iran Appoints New Military Leaders After Israeli Strikes Kill Top Generals

Following a deadly Israeli airstrike that killed several top Iranian military leaders, including Major Generals Mohammad Bagheri and Hossein Salami, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has swiftly appointed new commanders to key military positions. Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi was named Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, replacing Bagheri, while Major General Mohammad Pakpour took command of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, succeeding Salami. Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari was appointed as interim Chief of Staff, and Major General Ahmad Vahidi was named commander of the IRGC, reflecting a broader leadership overhaul. The strikes also resulted in the deaths of Major General Gholam Ali Rashid, head of the Khatam al-Anbia Headquarters, and two prominent nuclear scientists, impacting Iran's military and nuclear infrastructure. Iran condemned the attacks, accusing Israel and the United States of complicity, and suspended commercial flights amid fears of further escalation. These changes mark a critical shift in Iran's military hierarchy amid ongoing tensions with Israel.