Iran strengthens its military command following the war
EL RIGOR · 11 de agosto de 2026, 07:47 · 3 min read
Cross-checked in sources from Arab world, India and East Asia, Iran, Pakistan, Turkey and Africa
On Monday, Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, issued a decree ordering the integration of the General Staff of the Armed Forces with the Central Headquarters Khatam al-Anbiya, the country’s primary operational military authority. This strategic move comes amid a leadership reorganisation during the ongoing war and confirms the appointment of Ali Abdollahi as head of Iran’s Armed Forces.
Why It Matters
This change in Iran’s military structure has significant implications for the region and the world. The integration of these two institutions could lead to greater cohesion and efficiency in strategic planning and operational command during conflicts. For readers in Spain and around the world, this means a substantial adjustment in Iran’s military capability, which could influence future conflicts and regional tensions.
The Fact
On Monday, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued a decree ordering the integration of the General Staff of the Armed Forces with the Central Headquarters Khatam al-Anbiya, the main operational military authority in Iran. The decree also confirms the appointment of Ali Abdollahi as head of Iran’s Armed Forces.
Additionally, Khamenei appointed Ahmad Vahidi as commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and promoted him to the rank of major general. Mostafa Izadi was named deputy commander-in-chief of the IRGC, while Rear Admiral Ali Azmaei was formally designated as the commander of the IRGC Navy. Hossein Taeb, the powerful former head of the IRGC Intelligence Organisation, was named commander of the paramilitary Basij militia.
These changes in Iran’s military structure come amid a leadership reorganisation during the ongoing war. Vahidi had been serving as commander-in-chief of the IRGC since the death of Pakpour, while Azmaei emerged publicly as the naval commander of the IRGC in July, following the death of Alireza Tangsiri.
What Each Side Is Saying
According to Arab media, Khamenei has appointed six key military commanders, providing insight into the reorganisation of Iran’s military leadership during the war. Pakistani media highlights that these appointments are taking place amid critical intelligence gaps, suggesting that Iran is trying to strengthen its military structure to face future challenges.
What We Don’t Know
There is no information available on how the integration of the two institutions will be carried out, nor on the reaction of other countries or international organisations to these changes in Iran’s military structure. Additionally, it is unclear how effective these new appointments will be in terms of future military operations.
Future Outlook
The integration of the General Staff of the Armed Forces with the Central Headquarters Khatam al-Anbiya could lead to greater cohesion and efficiency in strategic planning and operational command during conflicts. This change in Iran’s military structure could have significant implications for the region and the world, particularly in terms of future tensions and conflicts. The effectiveness of these new appointments will largely depend on their implementation and how other regional and global actors respond to these changes.
Piece prepared by the newsroom from cross-checked sources in several countries.