Profile
Mohammad Bagheri
Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Iran
Supreme military commander; coordinates Army, IRGC, and defence industrial base
Islamic Republic of Iran Armed Forces
1960–present
Age Unknown
Status:
Summary
Chief of the General Staff since 2016; former IRGC intelligence head. Oversees all Iranian military branches and coordination with Khamenei. Central to planning during the 2025-26 conflict with Israel and the US.
Legacy
Resume & Resources
Personal Timeline
  • 2016 — Chief of General Staff
    Appointed by Khamenei.
  • 2025-06 — Twelve-Day War
    Coordinated joint military response.
  • 2026-02-28 — Feb 2026 strikes
    Khamenei and IRGC commander Salami killed in strikes; Bagheri oversaw continuity of command and military coordination under succession arrangements.
Relational Overview
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Publications
Citations
Biographic content

1. Origins & Formation

IRGC career; intelligence and operational roles. Brother of IRGC deputy Hossein Bagheri; rose through intelligence and planning. Shaped by Iran’s integrated military structure under the Supreme Leader.

2. Rise to Influence

Appointed Chief of General Staff in 2016; reported directly to the Supreme Leader until Khamenei’s death in February 2026. Coordinates Army, IRGC, and defence industrial base; oversees strategic planning and joint operations. Key bridge between the Leader’s office and military commanders.

3. Worldview & Inner Logic

Fear driver: Military disunity; Israeli/US strike capability; regime collapse. Belief driver: Unified command under Supreme Leader; asymmetric defence; deterrence. Identity driver: Institutional integrator; loyal to velayat-e faqih.

4. Exercise of Power

Chairs joint staff; coordinates Salami (IRGC) and Qaani (Quds) with Army and defence sectors. Approves operational plans; interfaces with SNSC. No independent political base; derived authority from the Supreme Leader until his death in Feb 2026; since then operates under succession and provisional leadership arrangements.

5. Role in 2025-2026

Coordinated military response during Twelve-Day War and February 2026 strikes. Integrated IRGC, Army, and missile forces; managed damage assessment and continuity of command. Critical to any post-Khamenei military coordination.