In a major reshuffle at the top of Iran’s military leadership, Major General Amir Hatami has been appointed Chief Commander of the Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran, by order of Commander-in-Chief Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.

The decision was announced through an official decree on Friday, with Khamenei citing Hatami’s “dedication, competence, and experience” as the foundation for the appointment. Hatami, who previously served as Iran’s Defense Minister from 2013 to 2021, now assumes command of the nation’s regular military forces at a time of heightened regional tensions.

In his directive, Ayatollah Khamenei urged Hatami to adopt a “transformative and revolutionary approach”, emphasizing the need to enhance Iran’s combat readiness and military cohesion.

“With the Army’s vast pool of capable and faithful personnel, and the experience gained during the Sacred Defense and beyond, it is expected that under your command, efforts to enhance combat readiness, strengthen spiritual and ideological foundations, improve personnel welfare, and boost cooperation with other branches of the Armed Forces will accelerate,” the decree stated.

Hatami succeeds Major General Seyyed Abdolrahim Mousavi, who has now been appointed Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces following the recent assassination of General Mohammad Hossein Bagheri, a key military strategist.

Known for his strong ties across Iran’s military establishment, Hatami brings over three decades of strategic and operational experience.

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