Brig. Gen. Ahmad Vahidi has been appointed as the new leader of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps after his predecessor's death in an Israeli airstrike. Vahidi faces international sanctions for human rights violations and stands accused in a notorious 1994 bombing in Argentina.
Iran Appoints Ahmad Vahidi as New Leader of Revolutionary Guards Corps
Iran Appoints Ahmad Vahidi as New Leader of Revolutionary Guards Corps
Following the recent death of Gen. Hossein Salami, Brig. Gen. Ahmad Vahidi steps into the critical role of head of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps amid international scrutiny.
Brig. Gen. Ahmad Vahidi has officially taken over as the leader of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) following the death of Gen. Hossein Salami, who was recently killed in an Israeli airstrike. Vahidi's appointment comes at a time of heightened tensions as the influential military organization plays a key role in Iran's defense and foreign operations.
Born in Shiraz in 1958, Vahidi is a controversial figure known primarily outside of Iran for his alleged involvement in the 1994 bombing of a Jewish cultural center in Buenos Aires, which resulted in 85 deaths and hundreds of injuries. Argentine prosecutors have issued international warrants for several Iranian officials, including Vahidi, accusing them of orchestrating and executing the attack. In 2007, Interpol issued a Red Notice to alert international law enforcement about the warrant.
Vahidi's rise through military and political ranks began with his involvement in the IRGC and revolutionary committees during the 1979 Iranian Revolution. He later served as the head of the IRGC’s Quds Force, focusing on intelligence and overseas operations, from 1988 until 1998. His extensive resume also includes stints as deputy defense minister from 2005 to 2009 and defense minister until 2013, as well as a term as Iran's interior minister until August 2024.
However, his leadership has not come without significant challenges. The United States, European Union, Canada, and Britain have all imposed sanctions on him due to various human rights violations, adding to the scrutiny surrounding the newly appointed leader. As Vahidi assumes command of the IRGC, the implications of his leadership will likely resonate far beyond Iran’s borders.
