Major General Amir Hatami has been appointed as the new Commander of the Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran, following an official decree issued by the Commander-in-Chief, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei. The move marks a significant reshuffling of Iran’s military leadership amid escalating regional tensions.
General Hatami brings decades of experience to the role, having previously served as Iran’s Minister of Defense from 2013 to 2021. In his decree, Ayatollah Khamenei praised Hatami’s “dedication, competence, and experience,” and called for a “transformative and revolutionary approach” in the Army under his command.
“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 Supreme Leader stated.
Hatami replaces Major General Seyyed Abdolrahim Mousavi, who has been appointed Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces following the recent assassination of General Mohammad Hossein Bagheri. Ayatollah Khamenei thanked Mousavi for his “sincere and valuable efforts” during his tenure as Army Chief.
The leadership transition occurs at a time of heightened conflict in the region, with Iranian military figures increasingly becoming targets of foreign attacks, particularly in the ongoing hostilities with Israel. The appointment signals continuity as well as a strategic recalibration in Iran’s military leadership as the country responds to evolving threats and regional instability.
