Tehran: Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei has issued decrees appointing six senior military commanders, including successors to four commanders who were killed in Israeli-US attacks. The appointments, announced on Monday, aim to strengthen Iran's military leadership amidst ongoing regional tensions.

According to Anadolu Agency, Ali Abdollahi has been appointed as the chief of staff of the Armed Forces, succeeding Abdolrahim Mousavi. Ahmad Vahidi has been named the new commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), taking over from Mohammad Pakpour. In addition, Kioumars Heydari has been appointed as the deputy chief of staff of the Armed Forces, and Mostafa Izadi as the deputy commander-in-chief of the IRGC.

Khamenei's decrees also include Ali Azmaei's appointment as the commander of the IRGC Navy, replacing the slain Alireza Tangsiri. Meanwhile, Hossein Taeb has been appointed as the head of the IRGC's Basij Organization, succeeding the late Gholamreza Soleimani.

In his decrees, Khamenei emphasized the importance of the 'continuous and comprehensive development' of military capabilities to achieve 'maximum deterrence.' He urged for the readiness to conduct 'powerful offensive operations against the enemy' and called for the enhancement of the Armed Forces' and Basij's 'comprehensive and up-to-date defense and security capabilities.' This includes responding effectively to all levels of conventional, modern, cognitive, and hybrid military threats.

Khamenei also advocated for completing the integration of the Armed Forces General Staff and the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, following directives from the late supreme leader.

The appointments come against the backdrop of Iran's military conflict with Washington, which began after a joint US-Israel offensive against Tehran in February. The conflict saw Tehran retaliating with attacks on regional countries hosting US military assets. Although a ceasefire was agreed upon in April, and a memorandum of understanding was signed in June to seek a lasting peace agreement, the deal collapsed last month. This led to nearly two weeks of renewed attacks between Tehran and Washington before US President Donald Trump abruptly halted the bombardment, amid reports of ongoing talks to resolve the conflict.