Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, who also acts as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Iran, in two separate decrees, appointed the Commander of the newly established Air Defense Force of the Iranian Army, and the new Commander of Khatam al-Anbia Air Defense Base.
In a Tuesday decree, the Leader appointed Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi (photo), the current chief-commander of the Iranian Army, as the new commander of Khatam al-Anbia Air Defense Base, Fars News Agency (FNA) reported.
In the decree, the Leader urged General Mousavi to use all the facilities and capacities of the country’s Armed Forces to defend the Iranian airspace and reinforce the integrated and strong network of Iran's air defense command and control.
In a separate decree, the Leader appointed Brigadier General Alireza Sabahifard as the Commander of the newly established Air Defense Force of the Iranian Army.
General Sabahifard was chosen upon the joint recommendation of the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces and the Khatam al-Anbia Air Defense Base, and the recommendation of the Army Chief.
In his decree, Ayatollah Khamenei called on General Sabahifard to pay special attention to the internal growth and strengthening of the Air Defense Force, particularly through professional training of forces and up-to-date maintenance and optimum use of the equipment.
The new Commander was also urged to keep the Air Defense Force vigilant and use various defense methods while maintaining an effective interaction with the Khatam al-Anbia Air Defense Base.
Sabahifard was previously in charge of the Khatam al-Anbia Air Defense Base.
In a series of decisions to reshuffle military commanders of the country, Ayatollah Khamenei promoted IRGC Lieutenant Commander Brigadier General Hossein Salami to the rank of Major General and appointed him as the top Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps in late April.
The decision came after Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari's two five-year terms ended.
Following the appointments in April, two weeks ago, Hojjatoleslam Hossein Taeb was named to serve as the Head of the Intelligence Department of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) for another term, and Brigadier General Hassan Mohaqqeq was appointed to serve as the new Deputy Head of the department.
IRGC’s top Commander Major General Hossein Salami, in a ceremony on May 18, publicly announced the appointments in the Intelligence Department of the elite force, reinstating Hojjatoleslam Taeb for another term and replacing Brigadier General Hossein Nejat with Brigadier General Mohaqqeq.
