Iran appoints new air defense, air force chiefs in post-war shakeup
The promotion of Brig. Gen. Alireza Elhami and Brig. Gen. Bahman Behmard follows Iran's efforts to rebuild its air defenses following the war with Israel in June.
Iran replaced its top air defense and air force commanders this week, as the Islamic Republic seeks to rehabilitate its military capabilities following the 12-day war with Israel in June.
What happened: Brig. Gen. Bahman Behmard was appointed commander of the Army Air Force on Wednesday, replacing Brig. Gen. Hamid Vahedi. Behmard had been serving as deputy to the operations chief at the armed forces' General Staff since 2023, state media reported.
Iranian Air Force has a new commander.
— Mehdi H. (@mhmiranusa) December 17, 2025
Iranian Supreme Leader appointed a new IRIAF commander today replacing brigadier general Hamid Vahedi with brigadier general Bahman Behmard. pic.twitter.com/Mf87eeXxbt
On Monday, Brig. Gen. Alireza Elhami was appointed the new chief of the Army Air Defense Force and the Khatam al-Anbia Joint Air Defense Headquarters, replacing Brig. Gen. Alireza Sabahifard. The announcement was made during a visit by Maj. Gen. Abdolrahim Mousavi, chief of staff of the Iranian armed forces, to the headquarters.
Mousavi said during the visit that upgrading Iran’s air defenses is a national priority.
