Archive · 11 Aug 2026
Ali Abdollahi Named Iran's Military Chief, Known For War Threats
Iran has a very important leader called the Supreme Leader, and his name is Mojtaba Khamenei.
He recently became the Supreme Leader after his father died.
His father passed away during a big war in the Middle East.
Now, Khamenei has picked new leaders for Iran's military.
He chose a general named Ali Abdollahi to be in charge of the whole armed forces.
He also chose a general named Ahmad Vahidi to lead a special group of soldiers called the Revolutionary Guards.
Ali Abdollahi used to run a big military command that helps all the different branches of the military work together.
He has made strong threats against countries that help the United States in the war.
He said any country that protects America would be 'engulfed by the flames of war.'
These are the first big military choices Khamenei has made since he became the leader.
Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei appointed Major General Ali Abdollahi as chief of staff of the armed forces on Monday.
Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi was named Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps with the rank of major general.
The appointments are Khamenei's first senior military appointments since becoming supreme leader early in the Middle East war.
Khamenei assumed the role after the death of his father in US-Israeli strikes.
Abdollahi previously led Khatam al-Anbiya, Iran's inter-branch central military command, and warned that any country serving as a defensive shield for America would be 'engulfed by the flames of war.'
- Who
- Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, Major General Ali Abdollahi, and Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi.
- What
- Khamenei appointed Ali Abdollahi as chief of staff of the armed forces and Ahmad Vahidi as Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
- When
- Monday.
- Where
- Iran.
- Why
- The appointments are Khamenei's first senior military appointments since becoming supreme leader after his father's death in US-Israeli strikes; Abdollahi is known for issuing war threats to the US.
- Supreme Leader
- Mojtaba Khamenei
- New Armed Forces Chief
- Major General Ali Abdollahi
- New IRGC Commander
- Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi (promoted to major general)
- Announcement Date
- Monday
- Abdollahi's Previous Role
- Head of Khatam al-Anbiya, Iran's inter-branch central military command
- Context
- First senior military appointments since Khamenei became supreme leader early in the Middle East war
- Succession
- Khamenei became supreme leader after his father's death in US-Israeli strikes