Iran: Revolutionary Guards commander given key security post

Iran Focus: Tehran, Iran, Sep. 05 – Iran appointed a new deputy chief for the paramilitary Bassij force, state-run media reported on Monday. Iran Focus

Tehran, Iran, Sep. 05 – Iran appointed a new deputy chief for the paramilitary Bassij force, state-run media reported on Monday.

Revolutionary Guards Brigadier General Majid Mir-Ahmadi was introduced on Sunday as the new deputy commander of the Bassij in a gathering of senior Guards commanders including the deputy commandant of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), Brigadier General Mohammad-Baqer Zolqadr. The Bassij, affiliated to the IRGC, are paramilitary vigilantes loyal to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Brigadier General Mir-Ahmadi took over the post formerly held by Revolutionary Guards Brigadier General Ismail Ahmadi Moghaddam, who was appointed by the Supreme Leader as chief of Iran’s police. Moghaddam recently extended police powers to members of the Bassij.

General Mir-Ahmadi previously served as a Navy officer as well as in the bureau of the IRGC Joint Chiefs of Staff.