Ahmad Vahidi Appointed as New Leader of Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps

Brig. Gen. Ahmad Vahidi has been named the new head of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps following the recent assassination of his predecessor. Vahidi, previously sanctioned for human rights violations, is linked to the 1994 Buenos Aires bombing.

Brig. Gen. Ahmad Vahidi has been appointed as the new head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) following the death of his predecessor, Gen. Hossein Salami, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike on June 13, 2025. Vahidi's appointment has raised eyebrows internationally due to his controversial past.

Known primarily outside of Iran as a suspect in the 1994 bombing of a Jewish community center in Buenos Aires, which resulted in 85 deaths and hundreds of injuries, Vahidi faces significant legal challenges. Argentina’s prosecutors have issued arrest warrants for several Iranian officials, including Vahidi, for their alleged roles in planning and executing the attack. Interpol issued a Red Notice in 2007 to alert global law enforcement about Vahidi’s outstanding warrant.

Vahidi, born in 1958 in Shiraz, Iran, began his career during the Islamic Revolution in 1979 while studying electronic engineering at Shiraz University. As a young man, he joined the IRGC and various revolutionary committees. Vahidi holds a Ph.D. in strategic studies and has held several significant security positions, especially during the Iran-Iraq war, which lasted from 1980 to 1988.

His previous roles include leading the IRGC’s Quds Force from 1988 to 1998, a unit focused on intelligence and overseas operations, as well as serving as deputy defense minister from 2005 to 2009, followed by time as defense minister until 2013. Additionally, Vahidi was Iran's interior minister until August of last year. His controversial history has led to sanctions imposed by the United States, the European Union, Canada, and the United Kingdom due to human rights violations.

As the IRGC is a pivotal part of Iran's military and political apparatus, Vahidi's leadership is likely to shape both domestic and foreign policies significantly in the coming years. Matthew Mpoke Bigg provides insight into this developing situation from London, reporting on significant updates in global news.