Tasnim reports Khamenei orders Mousavi appointment

Tasnim reports Khamenei orders Mousavi appointment

Tehran, Jun 14, 2025 — Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has appointed Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi as the new Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, following the death of Major General Mohammad Hossein Bagheri in Israeli airstrikes. The appointment was announced by the state-affiliated Tasnim News Agency on Tuesday [1].

The appointment comes amid heightened tensions between Iran and Israel, with Israeli airstrikes targeting top military leaders, including Bagheri and Hossein Salami, the former commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) [2]. Khamenei praised Mousavi's experience and leadership, tasking him with "strengthening Iran’s defense preparedness" [1].

In addition to Mousavi, Khamenei also appointed Mohammad Pakpour as the new commander of the IRGC and Ali Shadmani to lead Khatam al-Anbiya. The swift reshuffle underscores the rapid changes within Iran's defense architecture following the Israeli strikes [3].

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the airstrikes, stating that over 200 fighter jets were used to target Iranian military infrastructure and personnel. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the operation as a "preemptive strike" necessary to eliminate the Iranian threat to Israel's survival [3].

The situation remains tense, with both nations bracing for possible further escalations. Iran's Supreme National Security Council had warned that any aggression would trigger retaliation, including possible strikes on Israeli nuclear sites [3]. Iran's foreign ministry spokesman, Esmaeil Baqaei, stated that the Israeli strikes have made nuclear talks with the United States meaningless [4].

The Israeli strikes have severely degraded Iran's missile capabilities and military network, leaving Tehran with limited options for retaliation. Regional security experts believe Iran is left with perilous options, including covert attacks on Israel or accelerating its nuclear program [4].

References:
[1] https://www.iranintl.com/en/202506136746
[2] https://www.agenzianova.com/en/news/Iran-Khamenei-Appoints-New-Chief-of-Staff-and-Commander-of-the-Pasdaran/
[3] https://www.daijiworld.com/news/newsDisplay?newsID=1283333
[4] https://www.arabnews.com/node/2604447/middle-east