Iran’s Mojtaba Khamenei makes major military changes amid US conflict, health speculation

Iran's Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, recently implemented significant military reshuffles as tensions persist with the United States. On Monday, Khamenei promoted six key figures to prominent positions within Iran's armed forces, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Basij Resistance Force.

Among the appointments, Ali Abdollahi was designated as the chief of staff for Iran's Armed Forces, while Kioumars Heydari took on the role of deputy chief of staff for the same military branch. Ahmad Vahidi, a veteran figure, was promoted to major general and appointed as the commander-in-chief of the IRGC. Mostafa Izadi was named deputy commander-in-chief of the IRGC, Ali Azmaei was given a command over the IRGC Navy, and Hossein Taeb was appointed head of the Basij Resistance Force.

These appointments mark Khamenei's first major military changes since he assumed the role of Supreme Leader following the death of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a US-Israeli strike in February. Earlier, Khamenei appointed former IRGC chief Mohsen Rezaee to serve as his representative on Iran's Supreme National Security Council, replacing Mohammad Baqir Zolghadr.

The reshuffles aim to bolster Iran's military capabilities amid the ongoing conflict with the United States. Moreover, Khamenei's absence from public view has fueled speculation over his health, with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stating that Khamenei is "completely healthy." However, Khamenei has not been seen in public since taking office and is believed to have sustained injuries during the strike that killed his father.