Tehran, Iran – In a major development reflecting rising regional tensions, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has reportedly transferred significant authority to the Supreme Council of the military, including the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), as per reports from Iran Insight. The move follows growing confrontation with Israel and mounting pressure from the United States.
According to sources, Khamenei has relocated to a secure underground bunker in northeastern Tehran, accompanied by close family members, including his influential son Mojtaba Khamenei.
Strategic Power Shift
Under Iran’s governance structure, the Supreme Leader holds ultimate command of the armed forces, with exclusive power to declare war and appoint top military and judicial officials. This delegation of power to the IRGC suggests heightened alert within the Iranian regime as it braces for possible military escalation.
Who Controls the IRGC?
Formed after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, the IRGC functions as a parallel force to Iran’s regular military. It operates its own ground, air, naval, and intelligence units, and answers directly to the Supreme Leader — not to Iran’s president or parliament.
The IRGC also oversees the Basij militia, which has been deployed over decades to crush public dissent during protests in 1999, 2009, and 2022. Its influence stretches deep into Iran’s economy, foreign policy, and internal security.
US Designation and Global Perception
In 2019, the United States officially designated the IRGC as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, citing its alleged role in plotting attacks and killing over 600 U.S. troops in Iraq post-2003. The group has since remained a focal point of U.S. sanctions and international scrutiny, particularly due to its involvement in conflicts in Syria, Iraq, and Yemen.
The Rise of Mojtaba Khamenei
Sources suggest that Mojtaba Khamenei, a mid-ranking cleric and son of the Supreme Leader, has become increasingly central to Iran’s decision-making process. Over two decades, he has quietly built influence by bridging factions and guiding sensitive military and political decisions — possibly positioning himself as a potential successor.
Security and Intelligence Realignment
Ali Asghar Hejazi, deputy head of political security at the Supreme Leader’s office, is said to be handling key intelligence operations, effectively acting as Iran’s top covert strategist.
The deaths of high-ranking IRGC commanders in recent years have weakened the upper ranks of Iran’s elite force, further deepening the urgency for leadership restructuring.
Regional Impact
These developments come amid the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in an Israeli airstrike and the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to rebel forces. Both were key regional allies of Iran. Analysts say this geopolitical shake-up has forced Tehran to tighten its grip on power and prepare for broader instability.
