Ahmad Vahidi was appointed Deputy Commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in December by Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. He has also previously served as Deputy Chief within Iran’s military establishment.

Beyond his military career, Vahidi has held several important political positions. He served as Iran’s Minister of Defense during the presidency of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and later as Minister of Interior under President Ebrahim Raisi. However, his career has also been accompanied by various international allegations.

In connection with the 1994 bombing of a Jewish community center in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Interpol issued a red notice against him. The attack killed 85 people, though Iran has consistently rejected the accusations, describing them as baseless.

In 2022, the United States and the European Union imposed sanctions on Ahmad Vahidi following Iran’s crackdown on protests that erupted after the death of Mahsa Amini.

Experts say Vahidi’s appointment during the current conflict represents a critical and sensitive phase for Iran’s military leadership, as he is expected to play a major role in guiding the Revolutionary Guards during a full wartime environment for the first time.