Brig. Gen. Vahidi brings a controversial history as he takes command of Iran's elite military unit under international scrutiny.
**Iran Appoints Ahmad Vahidi as Head of Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps Following Airstrike Death of Predecessor**
**Iran Appoints Ahmad Vahidi as Head of Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps Following Airstrike Death of Predecessor**
In a significant military leadership shift, Ahmad Vahidi steps into a pivotal role amidst ongoing tensions.
June 15, 2025, 10:07 a.m. ET — Iran has officially appointed Brig. Gen. Ahmad Vahidi as the new commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) following the death of his predecessor, Gen. Hossein Salami, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Friday. This development marks a key moment as the IRGC plays a crucial role in the country’s defense and foreign affairs, particularly as tensions rise in the region.
Brig. Gen. Vahidi comes into the spotlight following his notoriety outside of Iran, mainly related to the 1994 bombing of the AMIA Jewish community center in Buenos Aires, which resulted in the loss of 85 lives and left hundreds injured. Argentinian prosecutors have issued arrest warrants for Vahidi along with four other Iranian officials, alleging their involvement in the planning, execution, and financing of the attack. In 2007, Interpol placed him on its wanted list with a Red Notice, emphasizing the international law enforcement community’s interest in his apprehension.
Born in 1958 in Shiraz, Iran, Vahidi began his military career during the Iranian Revolution of 1979 when he was a student in electronic engineering. His early involvement with the IRGC and revolutionary committees laid the groundwork for his military career. During the Iran-Iraq war (1980-1988), Vahidi held pivotal security positions, ultimately leading the Quds Force—a unit responsible for intelligence and operations abroad—from 1988 to 1998.
Following his military tenure, he transitioned into government, serving as deputy defense minister from 2005, later becoming defense minister from 2009 to 2013, and most recently as interior minister until August of last year. Notably, Vahidi has been sanctioned by the United States, the European Union, Canada, and the United Kingdom for alleged human rights abuses, reflecting the controversial nature of his leadership.
As Brig. Gen. Vahidi takes the reins of the IRGC, the international community watches closely, particularly given his past and the complex geopolitical landscape in the Middle East.
Brig. Gen. Vahidi comes into the spotlight following his notoriety outside of Iran, mainly related to the 1994 bombing of the AMIA Jewish community center in Buenos Aires, which resulted in the loss of 85 lives and left hundreds injured. Argentinian prosecutors have issued arrest warrants for Vahidi along with four other Iranian officials, alleging their involvement in the planning, execution, and financing of the attack. In 2007, Interpol placed him on its wanted list with a Red Notice, emphasizing the international law enforcement community’s interest in his apprehension.
Born in 1958 in Shiraz, Iran, Vahidi began his military career during the Iranian Revolution of 1979 when he was a student in electronic engineering. His early involvement with the IRGC and revolutionary committees laid the groundwork for his military career. During the Iran-Iraq war (1980-1988), Vahidi held pivotal security positions, ultimately leading the Quds Force—a unit responsible for intelligence and operations abroad—from 1988 to 1998.
Following his military tenure, he transitioned into government, serving as deputy defense minister from 2005, later becoming defense minister from 2009 to 2013, and most recently as interior minister until August of last year. Notably, Vahidi has been sanctioned by the United States, the European Union, Canada, and the United Kingdom for alleged human rights abuses, reflecting the controversial nature of his leadership.
As Brig. Gen. Vahidi takes the reins of the IRGC, the international community watches closely, particularly given his past and the complex geopolitical landscape in the Middle East.
