Iran's Khamenei appoints Ahmad Vahidi as new IRGC commander

TEHRAN, Iran — Iran's Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces Mojtaba Khamenei has appointed Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi as the new commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), promoting him to the rank of general. The appointment replaces Mohammad Pakpour, who was killed in US-Israeli strikes. In the decree, Khamenei ordered that the IRGC's offensive capabilities be continuously improved, its deterrence strengthened and its readiness for offensive operations enhanced. The order also instructed that the cultural, moral and revolutionary spirit of personnel be reinforced. Khamenei further directed that command and management methods be developed on spiritual and scientific foundations, and that modern skills be integrated into the organizational structure of the corps.