From Surf Wiki (app.surf) — the open knowledge base
Commander-in-Chief of the Iranian Armed Forces
| Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran |
|---|
| فرمانده کل نیروهای مسلح جمهوری اسلامی ایران (Persian) |
| Emblem of Iran |
| IncumbentMojtaba Khameneisince 8 March 2026 |
| Islamic Republic of Iran Armed Forces |
| Tehran, Iran |
| Assembly of Experts |
| 6 August 1906 (1906-08-06) |
| Mozaffar ad-Din Shah |
The position of Commander-in-Chief (Persian: فرمانده کل قوا, romanized: Farmândeh-ye Kol-e Qova), formerly known as Bozorg Arteshtârân (Persian: بزرگ ارتشتاران, lit. 'Great Army Leader'), is the ultimate authority of all the Islamic Republic of Iran Armed Forces, and the highest possible military position within the Islamic Republic of Iran. The position was established during the Persian Constitutional Revolution. According to the Constitution of Iran, the position is vested in the Supreme Leader of Iran and is held since 1981.
After the 1979 Iranian Revolution and 15 days after the inauguration of the first president Abolhassan Banisadr in February 1980, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini delegated him as the Commander-in-Chief. According to Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, this was due to the illness of Ayatollah Khomeini and his concerns about the future of the revolution (in his absence). In the decree from Khomeini to Banisadr it is mentioned:
At this critical stage where the need to concentrate forces is greater than any stage, you are appointed as my representative to the position of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces in the manner determined by the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Following the impeachment of Banisadr in June 1981, the title of Commander-in-Chief was not transferred to the next president Mohammad-Ali Rajai, and is kept to this day by the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
| No. | Portrait | Name(Birth–Death) | Term of office | Military rank | Military branch | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| • Sublime State of Persia (1906–1925) • | |||||||
| 1 | Shah, MozaffarShahMozaffar ad-Din Shah(1853–1907) | 6 August 1906 | 3 January 1907 † | 150 days | N/A | N/A | |
| 2 | Shah, MohammadShahMohammad Ali Shah(1872–1925) | 3 January 1907 | 16 July 1909 | 2 years, 194 days | N/A | N/A | |
| – | Khan, Ali RezaRegentAli Reza Khan(1847–1910) | 16 July 1909 | 22 September 1910 † | 1 year, 56 days | N/A | N/A | |
| – | Khan, AbolqasemRegentAbolqasem Khan(1856–1927) | 22 September 1910 | 21 July 1914 | 3 years, 314 days | N/A | N/A | |
| 3 | Shah, AhmadShahAhmad Shah(1898–1930) | 21 July 1914 | 14 February 1925 | 11 years, 147 days | N/A | N/A | |
| 4 | Khan, RezaPrime MinisterReza Khan(1878–1944) | 14 February 1925 | 15 December 1925 | 304 days | Brigadier general | Persian Cossack Brigade(1894–1921) | |
| • Imperial State of Iran (1925–1979) • | |||||||
| 1 | Shah, RezaShahReza Shah(1878–1944) | 15 December 1925 | 16 September 1941 | 15 years, 275 days | Brigadier general | Persian Cossack Brigade(1894–1921) | |
| 2 | Shah, MohammadShahMohammad Reza Shah(1919–1980) | 16 September 1941 | 21 July 1952 | 10 years, 309 days | Captain | Imperial Iranian Army(1936–1941) | |
| 3 | Mosaddegh, MohammadPrime MinisterMohammad Mosaddegh(1882–1967) | 21 July 1952 | 19 August 1953 | 1 year, 29 days | N/A | N/A | |
| (2) | Shah, MohammadShahMohammad Reza Shah(1919–1980) | 19 August 1953 | 11 February 1979 | 25 years, 176 days | Captain | Imperial Iranian Army(1936–1941) | |
| • Islamic Republic of Iran (1979–present) • | |||||||
| 1 | Banisadr, AbolhassanPresidentAbolhassan Banisadr(1933–2021) | 19 February 1980 | 10 June 1981 | 1 year, 111 days | N/A | N/A | |
| 2 | Khomeini, RuhollahSupreme LeaderRuhollah Khomeini(1902–1989) | 10 June 1981 | 3 June 1989 † | 7 years, 358 days | N/A | N/A | |
| 3 | Khamenei, AliSupreme LeaderAli Khamenei(1939–2026) | 4 June 1989 | 28 February 2026 † | 36 years, 269 days | N/A | Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps(24 November 1979–24 February 1980) | |
| – | Interim Leadership Council | 5 March 2026 | 8 March 2026 | 3 days | N/A | N/A(Mohseni-Eje'i and Arafi)Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps(Pezeshkian) | |
| 4 | Khamenei, MojtabaSupreme LeaderMojtaba Khamenei(born 1969) | 8 March 2026 | Incumbent | 34 days | N/A | Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps(1987–1988, 2009–2026) |
- Islamic Republic of Iran Army
- List of commanders of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army
- Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps
- List of commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps
Ask Mako anything about Commander-in-Chief of the Iranian Armed Forces — get instant answers, deeper analysis, and related topics.
Research with MakoFree with your Surf account
Create a free account to save articles, ask Mako questions, and organize your research.
Sign up freeThis content may have been generated or modified by AI. CloudSurf Software LLC is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of AI-generated content. Always verify important information from primary sources.
Report