Iran is overhauling the top ranks of its military and security apparatus, notably the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Basij militia, following heavy losses sustained during recent conflict. Rather than promoting fresh figures, the regime has largely turned to trusted veteran hardliners to fill critical vacancies, a move analysts say reflects both the depth of the wartime losses and Tehran's determination to preserve ideological loyalty within its command structure at a moment of acute vulnerability.

The reshuffle has drawn scrutiny to figures such as IRGC commander Ahmad Vahidi, who reportedly plays a central role in Iran's negotiation strategy despite being described by analysts as a radical hardliner. Vahidi rose through the ranks during the Iran-Iraq War and has been linked by reports to past terror attacks, including the 1983 Beirut bombing and the 1994 Argentina bombing, fuelling concern over who is truly steering Iran's military and diplomatic decisions as tensions with the US and Israel continue to escalate.