As negotiations over the war in Iran hang by a thread, a notorious Iranian commander sanctioned by the US and wanted by Interpol is helping to craft Tehran’s next moves.
Brig. Gen. Ahmad Vahidi, commander-in-chief of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), assumed the role after his predecessor, Mohammad Pakpour, was killed in US-Israeli strikes on February 28 – the first day of the war.
Sanctioned by the US over his role in cracking down on domestic protests and wanted by Interpol for alleged involvement in a bombing in Argentina three decades ago, Vahidi is one of the fiercest opponents of compromise with Washington and, experts say, is even more radical than Pakpour.
“He is influential, but (he is) part of a system,” said Ali Vaez, Iran project director at the International Crisis Group. “Decisions are made in a consensual manner and undoubtedly Vahidi has a very loud voice in the room.”
Vahidi’s rise to become one of Iran’s top decision-makers shows that US and Israeli efforts to decapitate the country’s leadership have not produced a more moderate ruling echelon. Under Vahidi’s leadership, the IRGC has effectively choked traffic at the world’s most important oil checkpoint, while Tehran’s demands from Washington now exceed those made in previous negotiations.
