Maj Gen Pakpour replaces Salami as IRGC commander, Mousavi comes in place of Bagheri
TEHRAN, JUN 14: Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has appointed a new military leadership following the killing of several top commanders in Israeli airstrikes that targeted nuclear facilities, missile factories, and key personnel to prevent Tehran from building an atomic weapon.
Iranian media and witnesses reported explosions, including at the country’s main uranium enrichment facility at Natanz, while Israel declared a state of emergency in anticipation of retaliatory missile and drone strikes.
At least 20 senior Iranian commanders, including the head of the Revolutionary Guards, Aerospace Force Commander Amir Ali Hajizadeh, and scientists, were killed in strikes, two regional sources told Reuters.
Following the confirmation, Ayatollah Khamenei swiftly appointed new Revolutionary Guards and armed forces chiefs to replace those killed.
In separate decrees, Khamenei named Major General Mohammad Pakpour to replace Salami as IRGC commander and Major General Abdulrahim Mousavi to replace Mohammad Bagheri as chief of the armed forces general staff.
Major General Ali Shademani was appointed as the commander of the Khatam al-Anbia Headquarters.
