TEHRAN – Brigadier General Ali Jahanshahi has been appointed as the new commander of the Iranian Army Ground Forces, replacing Brigadier General Kiomars Heydari.
Mr. Jahanshahi previously commanded the 77th Tamen Al Aemmeh Division and also served as Coordination Deputy for Ground Forces and Deputy for Evaluation at Khatam Al Anbia Central Headquarters.
In his opening address to senior commanders, Jahanshahi said the Army’s ground forces are well prepared to counter any potential threats, backed by capable and dedicated personnel, modern equipment and experience gained from the “imposed 12-day war.” The military’s operational roadmap is designed around five strategic principles: leadership-centeredness, justice, efficiency, and improved technology and skills, based on the guidance of the commander-in-chief and lessons from recent Iranian military operations, the Army Public Affairs Office stressed.
Jahanshahi said his mandate emphasizes the need to improve the Army’s mobility, efficiency, human capital, weapons and equipment to counter evolving threats. “We have charted our course according to these instructions and, God willing, we are moving towards a bright horizon,” he said.
He noted that ground forces have significantly strengthened their combat capabilities in recent years by incorporating scientific manpower, knowledge-based enterprises, and emerging technologies, especially artificial intelligence. With well-trained and dedicated personnel, modern equipment and veteran experience, the Army’s ground forces are ready to respond to any hostilities, he said.
Jahanshahi warned that Iran is currently facing a cognitive war and a hybrid war. He said that when Iran’s adversaries failed to achieve their objectives through military pressure, they turned to soft and psychological forms of conflict. However, he expressed confidence that with God’s help, the leadership of the Commander-in-Chief, the unity of the Iranian people, and the strength of the military, Iran will once again neutralize enemy plots.
Reflecting on the recent operations, Jahanshahi said that army ground forces played an active and decisive role during the 12-day conflict in June. He pointed to the deployment of multiple brigades to protect borders, the use of Arash-1 and Arash-2 drones to attack targets in occupied territories, and the integration of air defense systems into the country’s unified air defense network to support both the Air Defense Force and the Revolutionary Guards Aerospace Forces. He also emphasized the use of new air defense platforms to shoot down enemy drones and prevent them from achieving their objectives, saying the military’s drones and air defense forces acted effectively throughout the confrontation.
Looking to the future, Jahanshahi said the ground forces will rely on domestic expertise, knowledge-based industry and new technologies to modernize their weapons and equipment. He said efforts are underway to strengthen the Army’s combat readiness, expand multi-skill training of personnel, improve soldier welfare and morale, and prepare a more mobile, agile and efficient ground force. He added that upgrades to electronic warfare, missile systems, artillery and command and control capabilities are also part of the military’s ongoing development program.