{
  "id": 491258,
  "title": "Khamenei appoints new military, IRGC leaders in major reshuffle",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/10/khamenei-appoints-new-military-irgc-leaders-in-major-reshuffle",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-10T16:15:20.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Ajel English",
    "slug": "ajel-english",
    "url": "https://english.ajel.sa/world/tz9u9yk8y"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On Monday, Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei announced a significant reshuffle of key military and Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) leadership positions. Six new appointments were made, bringing substantial changes to the country's armed forces.\n\nMajor General Ali Abdollahi was appointed as Chief of the Armed Forces General Staff, taking over from his predecessor. He will now oversee the country's military operations and strategic planning.\n\nMajor General Ahmad Vahidi was named commander of the IRGC, the country's powerful paramilitary organization. He will lead the IRGC's operations, training, and strategic initiatives. Vahidi's deputy, Major General Mostafa Izadi, will assist him in these responsibilities.\n\nAdditionally, Brigadier General Ali Azmaei was appointed as commander of the IRGC Navy, overseeing the naval component of the IRGC's operations. This appointment further strengthens the IRGC's naval capabilities.\n\nThe reshuffle also saw Hossein Taeb appointed as head of the Basij, Iran's paramilitary volunteer force. Taeb will now lead the Basij in their support role for the government and military operations.\n\nFinally, Brigadier General Kiomars Heydari was appointed as deputy chief of the Armed Forces General Staff. In this role, Heydari will provide strategic and operational support to Major General Abdollahi in his new position.",
  "summary": "Iran’s Supreme Leader issues six new appointments, naming top commanders for the armed forces, Revolutionary Guard, and Basij.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Gulf News",
        "title": "Iran’s Mojtaba Khamenei makes major military changes amid US conflict, health speculation",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/10/irans-mojtaba-khamenei-makes-major-military-changes-amid-us-conflict",
        "published": "2026-08-10T20:34:27.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}