On June 13, 2025, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei appointed Brigadier General Mohammad Pakpour as the new commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), known as the Pasdaran, following the death of Major General Hossein Salami in Israeli airstrikes. Pakpour, a seasoned IRGC veteran and commander of its Ground Forces since 2009, was promoted to Major General and tasked with leading the elite force amid heightened regional tensions. The Pasdaran, with over 190,000 personnel, is a cornerstone of Iran’s military and political power, overseeing strategic operations and defending the Islamic Republic’s ideological legacy.
Mohammad Pakpour Named New Head of Iran’s Pasdaran
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei appointed Mohammad Pakpour as the new head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), or Pasdaran, on June 13, 2025, following the death of Major General Hossein Salami in Israeli airstrikes. Pakpour, promoted from Brigadier General to Major General, assumes command of Iran’s most powerful military force at a critical juncture, as Tehran vows retaliation for Israel’s strikes on nuclear and military sites.
Pakpour, a veteran of the Iran-Iraq War (1980–1988), has led the IRGC Ground Forces since 2009, overseeing operations in Syria, Iraq, and anti-terrorism efforts in Iran’s northwest and southeast regions. With a PhD in Political Geography, he has emphasized military modernization, including drone capabilities like the Hemaseh, to bolster regional security, per Tasnim News. His close ties to the IRGC’s Quds Force, which supports proxies like Hezbollah and Hamas, position him as a key figure in Iran’s regional strategy.
Khamenei’s decree, broadcast on state media, praised Pakpour’s “commitment and experience,” urging him to enhance the Pasdaran’s “comprehensive capabilities” and maintain its ideological “piety and insight.” The appointment, announced alongside other military reshuffles, aims to restore command stability after the loss of senior leaders, including Salami and Chief of Staff Mohammad Bagheri.
Posts on X, such as @anadoluagency’s June 13 announcement, reflect mixed sentiment, with some like @AviKaner criticizing Pakpour’s record of suppressing protests. As Iran prepares for potential conflict, Pakpour’s leadership will shape the Pasdaran’s response and Iran’s geopolitical stance.
Suggested Authoritative Sources
- Middle East Eye: “New IRGC chief named” (June 13, 2025).
- Khamenei.ir: “Major General Mohammad Pakpour appointed as Commander-in-Chief of IRGC” (June 13, 2025).
- News18: “Iran’s Supreme Leader Appoints New Top Brass After High-Rank Officials Killed” (June 13, 2025).
- BBC News: “Hossein Salami: Who was Iran’s Revolutionary Guards chief killed in Israeli strikes?” (June 13, 2025).
- Counter Extremism Project: “Mohammad Pakpour” (Accessed June 2025).