New York Times: Six Senior Guards Figures Shape Iran’s Decision-Making

Six senior figures from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps are shaping the country’s decision-making process, according to the New York Times, with most of them having held critical roles during the 1980-1988 Iran-Iraq war. The network includes political, military and judicial officials whose influence extends across key state institutions. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf is the current Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, while Ahmed Vahidi was appointed commander of the Revolutionary Guards in March, replacing his predecessor who was killed. Ghalamblei Ecay is known as a member of the judiciary for issuing thousands of death sentences. Hussein Taib led the Revolutionary Guards’ intelligence unit for many years. Mohammad Ali Jafari commanded the Revolutionary Guards from 2007 to 2019 and is credited with developing the strategic “mosaic strategy.” Mohammad Bagher Zolqadr was appointed secretary-general of the Supreme National Security Council in March. The group’s prominence underscores how former Guards commanders continue to influence Iran’s governing and security architecture.