Iran appoints new air defense, air force commanders

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution has appointed new commanders for the country’s air defense headquarters and the Army’s air force.

Under separate decrees issued by Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, Brigadier General Alireza Elhami was named commander of the Khatam al-Anbiya Joint Air Defense Headquarters and the Army Air Defense Force, while Brigadier General Bahman Behmard was appointed commander of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army Air Force.

Elhami, who has served as deputy commander of the Army Air Defense Force since 2019, previously headed the Khatam al-Anbiya Air Defense University and held the post of deputy for operations at the joint air defense headquarters. He replaces Brigadier General Alireza Sabahifard.

Behmard, the new air force commander, had been serving since 2023 as deputy to the operations chief at the General Staff of the Armed Forces. He replaces Brigadier General Hamid Vahedi.

The appointments were made on the recommendation of the Army’s commander-in-chief.