Ahmad Vahidi has become one of the most closely watched figures in Iran after being appointed commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, with analysts describing him as having prior familiarity with the United States.
This position is considered one of the most powerful in Iran, especially during a time when the country is engaged in full-scale war with the United States and Israel, resulting in the deaths of many of Iran's top military leaders.
Vahidi assumed command of the IRGC after the previous commander, General Mohammad Pakpour, was killed at the start of a joint U.S.-Israeli attack.
Shortly before that, another IRGC commander, Hossein Salami, was also killed during the war in 2025, causing the leadership of this key military organization to change hands multiple times within a short period.
This situation reflects that the IRGC commander post during wartime is one of the highest-risk positions in Iran’s power structure.
Vahidi was among the founding members of the IRGC after the Islamic Revolution in the late 1970s and quickly rose through the ranks during the 1980s.
Analysts reveal he has familiarity with the United States and Israel.
In the mid-1980s, reports indicate that Ahmad Vahidi was involved in secret contacts between Iranian representatives and intermediaries close to U.S. President Ronald Reagan’s administration, related to the Iran-Contra affair where U.S. officials covertly facilitated arms shipments to Iran.
Ali Alfoneh, an Iran expert at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington, told Al Jazeera that Vahidi has a "deep familiarity" with Israel and the U.S. through his involvement in those secret negotiations.
Iranian media report that he served as commander of the Quds Force special unit between 1988 and 1997 before handing over the role to Qassem Soleimani in 1998.
Soleimani was later killed in a U.S. drone strike in 2020, ordered by then-President Donald Trump.
He has played multiple roles beyond the military.
However, Vahidi’s role differs from many past IRGC commanders as he has not been limited to military duties; he has also served as defense minister under former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and later as interior minister under former President Ebrahim Raisi before leaving office in 2024.
His experience across the bureaucracy, politics, and military has led him to be seen as one of the most influential figures within Iran’s power structure.
Despite his significant role in the Iranian state, his name has been linked to several allegations.
Interpol issued a red notice at Argentina's request, accusing him of possible involvement in the 1994 bombing of the AMIA Jewish Community Center in Buenos Aires, which killed 85 people. The Iranian government denies these allegations, calling them baseless.
Additionally, the U.S. and European Union have sanctioned Vahidi for his role in suppressing nationwide protests following the death of Mahsa Amini in 2022.
His important role in Iran's future.
Analysts view Vahidi’s appointment as reflecting Iranian leaders’ efforts to select a trusted figure capable of maintaining state stability during a crisis.
Many experts point out that the IRGC is a pillar of Iran’s regime, and the commander’s role will be critical to the country’s future.
At a time when many top military leaders have been killed in the ongoing war, Vahidi’s name is increasingly watched as potentially one of the key figures influencing Iran’s political direction and security in the future.
Source:Aljazeera
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