Who is Brigadier General Seyyed Majid Mousavi? New commander of IRGC Aerospace Force

In a significant military reshuffle, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader and Commander-in-Chief of Iran’s Armed Forces, has appointed Brigadier General Seyyed Majid Mousavi as the new commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Force.

This appointment follows the martyrdom of Major General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, a prominent Iranian military leader who was killed during an Israeli airstrike on Friday. The tragic incident has sparked grief across Iran and prompted a quick leadership transition in the powerful IRGC Aerospace division.

According to Iran’s Mehr News Agency, Ayatollah Khamenei officially issued the decree on Saturday, entrusting Brigadier General Seyyed Majid Mousavi with the high-profile command.

Major General Hajizadeh, who served in the position for years, was hailed as a key architect of Iran’s missile defense and space programs. His martyrdom, caused by what Iran describes as a terrorist act of aggression by the Zionist regime, has drawn strong condemnation from Iranian officials and sparked renewed calls for retaliation.

In addition to the military announcement, Ayatollah Khamenei also approved pardons or sentence reductions for 1,705 prisoners across Iran. The clemency was granted in celebration of Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Ghadir, two of the holiest occasions in Islam.

The pardons came following a proposal by the head of the judiciary, targeting prisoners convicted in various Iranian courts who met the legal criteria for forgiveness.

The killing of General Hajizadeh has not only intensified regional tensions but also sparked a wave of mourning ceremonies and tributes across Iran. His role in advancing Iran’s missile capabilities and resistance front made him a national symbol of military strength and strategic depth.

As Brigadier General Majid Mousavi takes over one of Iran’s most crucial military arms, analysts are closely watching how this leadership change might influence future defense strategies and Iran’s response to escalating hostilities in the region.