Ayatollah Khamenei Appoints Maj. Gen. Seyed Abdolrahim Mousavi as New Chief of Staff of Iran’s Armed Forces

Tehran, June 14, 2025 :

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has appointed Major General Seyed Abdolrahim Mousavi as the new Chief of Staff of Iran’s Armed Forces following the martyrdom of Major General Mohammad Bagheri, who was killed in Friday’s Israeli attacks.

The appointment comes at a critical time as Iran continues to navigate heightened regional tensions and an ongoing military operation against the Israeli regime. In his letter of appointment, Ayatollah Khamenei praised General Mousavi’s “commendable service record and valuable experience,” urging him to lead the Armed Forces with revolutionary resolve and heightened readiness.

“With reliance and hope in divine assistance, it is expected that the necessary enhancement of the defensive and security readiness of the Armed Forces and the popular Basij… will be pursued through revolutionary action,” the Leader wrote.

Distinguished Military Career

Born in 1960 in Qom, Major General Mousavi joined the Iranian Army in 1979. A graduate of the Army’s Ground Forces Officers’ University, he later earned a Ph.D. in Defense Studies from the Supreme National Defense University.

He is a veteran of the 1980s Imposed War (Iran-Iraq War), serving in the artillery units on both western and southwestern fronts. He participated in numerous key military operations, including Valfajr 4 & 9, Beit al-Moqaddas 5, Qader, and Nasr, gaining recognition for his battlefield leadership and tactical acumen.

Steady Rise Through the Ranks

Over the decades, Mousavi has held several key command and leadership roles:

• Chief of Joint Staff of the Army (1999–2005)

• Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Army (2008–2016)

• Deputy Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces (2016–2017)

• Commander-in-Chief of the Army (2017–2025)

In May 2019, he was also appointed commander of the Khatam al-Anbia Air Defense Base, where he played a pivotal role in strengthening Iran’s air defense capabilities amid mounting threats.

He has also served in academic and strategic positions, including

• Commander of Imam Ali (PBUH) Officers’ University

• Deputy for Training and Planning within the Ground Forces

• Head of Operations for the Army

• Director of the Army Strategic Studies Center

These roles underscore his broad expertise, from field operations to strategic military planning and personnel training.

Leadership in a Time of Crisis

Mousavi’s appointment comes amid Iran’s Operation True Promise, a multi-phase military retaliation targeting Israeli military and strategic assets following the assassination of top Iranian commanders and scientists.

The late General Bagheri, along with other high-ranking officials, was killed in an Israeli airstrike that Iran has vowed to avenge. Ayatollah Khamenei’s decision to place Mousavi at the helm signals a continued commitment to strong military deterrence and strategic preparedness.

As the new Chief of Staff, Major General Mousavi is now tasked with overseeing Iran’s overall military coordination, readiness, and defense policy execution during a time of profound regional and global significance.