Tehran – In a move seen as strategic and highly significant within Iran’s military hierarchy, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has officially appointed Brigadier General Mohammad Karami as the new commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Ground Forces. The leadership transition was confirmed on Thursday through a formal decree issued by the Office of the Supreme Leader.
Brigadier General Karami’s elevation to this powerful position comes at a time when the IRGC continues to play a dominant role in Iran’s military and political landscape, both domestically and across the region. Known for its elite status, the IRGC Ground Forces are tasked with ensuring internal stability, defending Iran’s territorial sovereignty, and projecting Iranian influence in neighboring countries through strategic military and paramilitary operations.
The newly appointed commander, Mohammad Karami, is no stranger to high-level military operations, having held various command roles within the IRGC structure. His appointment is widely interpreted by analysts as part of Ayatollah Khamenei’s broader effort to reinforce loyalty and tighten control over the military establishment amid rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
Iranian state-linked media and independent observers have noted that the leadership reshuffle could signal a shift in the operational posture of the IRGC, especially as Iran navigates growing pressure over its nuclear program, ongoing sanctions from Western powers, and increasing military entanglements with regional actors.
Karami replaces Brigadier General Mohammad Pakpour, who had held the position for several years and was often seen as a key architect of Iran’s ground military strategy, particularly in border operations and counterinsurgency missions. While no official reason has been disclosed for the change in command, sources suggest it may be part of a broader realignment within Iran’s security apparatus.
As the world continues to watch Iran’s military developments with keen interest, this appointment further underscores Ayatollah Khamenei’s continued grip on the country’s armed forces, ensuring that core elements of the military remain firmly aligned with the Supreme Leader’s strategic vision.
