Iran Names New Military Commanders Following Israel War

Iran has appointed new commanders to lead its air defense and air force, several months after the conflict with Israel.

Brig Gen Alireza Elhami becomes commander of Iran's air defence and Brig Gen Bahman Behmard is now air force commander. They were given promotions earlier this week as Iran bolsters its air defences, The Caspian Post reports, citing foreign media.

Brig Gen Elhami served as the force’s deputy commander since 2019 and has previously led the Air Defence University and held the post of deputy operations commander at the Khatam Al Anbia Air Defence Headquarters.

He replaces Brig Gen Alireza Sabahi-Fard, who was in charge of the air defences when the war broke out with Israel. No official reason was given as to why the changes were made.

Brig Gen Behmard had served since 2023 as deputy to the operations chief at the General Staff of the Armed Forces. He replaces Brig Gen Hamid Vahedi.

Many of Iran's senior military commanders were killed in the first hours of Israel's air assault in June.