Key Takeaways
- Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has appointed new commanders to sensitive posts in the regular army, particularly in the air force and air defense structures.
- The appointments come amid mounting economic pressure and widespread anxiety over the prospect of another war, which have contributed to a sharp decline in Iran’s currency.
- The new commanders, Brigadier General Bahman Behmard and Brigadier General Alireza Elhami, have been chosen for their technical and operational credentials, rather than public visibility.
- The leadership reshuffles extend beyond air power, with changes also made to the Army Ground Forces and the Central Khatam al-Anbiya HQ.
Introduction to the Leadership Reshuffles
In a series of decrees, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has appointed new commanders to sensitive posts within the regular army, particularly in the air force and air defense structures. These developments are unfolding against a backdrop of mounting economic pressure and widespread anxiety over the prospect of another war, concerns that analysts say have contributed to the sharp recent decline in Iran’s currency. The appointments of Brigadier General Bahman Behmard as the new commander of the Army Air Force and Brigadier General Alireza Elhami as commander of the Khatam al-Anbiya Joint Air Defense HQ and the Army’s air defense force, signal a significant shift in the country’s military leadership.
The New Commanders
Brigadier General Bahman Behmard, the new commander of the Army Air Force, has been chosen for his technical and operational credentials, rather than public visibility. Despite his senior operational experience, Behmard has remained a relatively low-profile figure within Iran’s military establishment, with little media exposure compared to some of his predecessors. His appointment appears to signal a preference for technical and operational credentials over public visibility at a sensitive time for Iran’s air capabilities. Similarly, Brigadier General Alireza Elhami, the new commander of the Khatam al-Anbiya Joint Air Defense HQ and the Army’s air defense force, is also a little-known figure outside military circles, with most of his career spent in training and operational planning roles rather than public-facing positions.
The Reassignment of Previous Commanders
The two commanders replaced in these posts have been reassigned to roles widely viewed as advisory or ceremonial. Brigadier General Hamid Vahedi, the previous commander of the Army Air Force, was appointed air affairs adviser to the Army commander-in-chief, while Brigadier General Sabahifard, the previous commander of Army Air Defense, was named assistant to the army commander-in-chief for air defense affairs. These reassignments suggest that the new commanders will be taking on more operational roles, while the previous commanders will be providing guidance and advice. The leadership reshuffles extend beyond air power, with changes also made to the Army Ground Forces and the Central Khatam al-Anbiya HQ.
The Lack of Media Commentary
Despite the scale of these shifts, Iranian media have offered little to no comment or analysis, largely limiting coverage to headlines that describe the moves as "important changes." One notable exception was the news site Khabar Online, which argued that Elhami’s appointment reflected "the army’s policy of relying on in-house commanders with long-term specialized experience," highlighting his background in both training and operational planning. The outlet also emphasized his "low-profile" career path, which may allude to the controversy surrounding an unverified claim during the 12-day war that Iranian air defenses had shot down an Israeli F-35 fighter jet.
The Controversy Surrounding the F-35 Claim
The claim, widely circulated by state media including IRIB, was never substantiated. IRIB head Peyman Jebelli acknowledged earlier in December that broadcasting the false report had harmed the organization’s credibility, adding that military officials had provided the information. Sabahifard, who was air defense commander at the time, had frequently appeared in the media before the war, publicly asserting Iran’s ability to counter advanced aircraft such as the F-35. In one of his final public remarks in late October, he described Israeli damage to Iranian equipment as "natural" and claimed rapid restoration of both hardware and manpower. The controversy surrounding the F-35 claim may have contributed to the decision to appoint new commanders who are less publicly visible and more focused on technical and operational credentials.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the appointments of Brigadier General Bahman Behmard and Brigadier General Alireza Elhami to sensitive posts in the regular army signal a significant shift in Iran’s military leadership. The new commanders have been chosen for their technical and operational credentials, rather than public visibility, and will be taking on more operational roles. The reassignment of previous commanders to advisory or ceremonial roles suggests that the new commanders will be responsible for guiding the country’s military strategy in a time of mounting economic pressure and widespread anxiety over the prospect of another war. The lack of media commentary on the appointments and the controversy surrounding the F-35 claim highlight the complexity and sensitivity of the situation, and the need for careful analysis and consideration of the implications of these changes.
