1150 Afghanistan inthelate1990shelpedadvancehiscareer. However, Suleimani’s networkmatters,too.This IRGC hasbeengradualratherthanmeteoric.HispersonalandprofessionalbackgroundtheTaliban takeoverof the IRGC’ poses ananalyticalchallenge.Reconstructing network hemayhavehadbefore. during thewarismoreimportantthananyother Suleimani’s networkofIRGCcommanders Southern front. war in1988,Suleimaniwasstationedatthe From September1981untiltheendofIraq careers couldserveasindicatorsofSuleimani’s authorityintheIslamicRepublic. identifies membersofSuleimani’s networkwithinandoutsidetheIRGC.Italsoarguesthatfluctuationsintheir the /Iraqwarin1988. of theIslamicRevolutionaryGuardsCorps(IRGC),tomajorgeneral,highestrankinIRGCsinceend On January24,2011,Iran’s SupremeLeaderAliKhameneipromotedQassemSuleimani,chiefoftheQudsForce This isthesecondinaseriesof By AliAlfoneh Suleimani’s InnerCircle Iran’s SecretNetwork:MajorGeneralQassem 1998. between September10,1997,andMarch21, appointment asIRGCQudsForcechiefsometime his tenureasIRGCKermanchief,andafter relationships aftertheendofwarduring commanders. Suleimanimaintainedthose daily contactwithalltheimportantIRGC operations underhiscommand,andhewasin Division participatedinmostmajormilitary IRGC commandersdoesnot precludefierce Suleimani wasincontactwith manyothertop the scopeofthis andsincetheendofwarisbeyond at AEI. Ali Alfoneh([email protected]) is aresidentfellow But Suleimani’ S 4 e This v e n s tee order ofbattleduringthewarwith Outlook n 3 hSre,NW,Wsigo,DC 03 0.6.80www.aei.org 202.862.5800 th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036 Outlook The Forty-FirstTharallah s extensive war therefore arguesthat 2 . As discussedinthefirst Also, thefactthat ideEasternOutlook Middle -era network Outlook s about QassemSuleimani. network withintheIRGC.Thefirstisanopen manders thatshedlightonSuleimani’ by SuleimaniandagroupofotherIRGCcom- loyalties withintheIRGC. reliable informationaboutSuleimani’s factional between them.Itisthereforeimportanttoseek competition, factionalism,andoutrightenmity This Suleimani’s NetworkwithintheIRGC in thisseries,Suleimani’s risetoprominenceinthe Key pointsinthis • • • Outlook can assesshispowerintheIslamic Republic. other individualsinSuleimani’s network, we By followingfluctuationsinthe careersof Corps sincetheIran/Iraqwar. within theIslamicRevolutionaryGuards Suleimani’s innercirclehasrisentopower Suleimani’s secretnetworkinIran. Two lettersrevealMajorGeneralQassem identifies twopoliticalletterssigned Outlook No. 2•March 2011 1 : s factional Outlook

Middle Eastern Outlook • Ahmad Gholampour • Amin Shariati • Morteza Ghorbani • Nour-Ali Shoushtari • Mohammad-Ali [Aziz] Jafari • Qassem Suleimani • Gholamreza Jalali • Ali [-Reza] Zahedi • • Yaghoub Zohdi - 2- • Mohammad Kowsari letter signed by thirty-four IRGC commanders praising FIGURE 1 Mohsen Rezai upon his resignation as IRGC chief, MAJOR GENERAL QASSEM SULEIMANI’S NETWORK which coincided with President ’s Major General Qassem Suleimani’s Network first term in office in 1997. In the letter, the com- manders thank God for having had the opportunity to • Ali [-] Ahmadian • Habib Kashani “soldier and study” with• Rezai[Mahmoud ]“forAhmad palmostour [Daryani] two• Ya zdecades,”dan [Moyed-Nia] Sodagar Ahmadian and stress that Rezai was• Hlikedossein Ala ybothi by Khomeini• Assadolla handNaseh • [Mahmoud] Ahmadpour • Mehdi Rabbani Shamkhani Ahmadpour Khamenei.5 The letter •wasAkba ranGham outrightkhar act of• Mprotestorteza Saffar at Assadi Rezai’s dismissal. Rezai •hadHosse icriticizedn Hamadani Khatami• Ho sduringsein Salami Salami Ahmadpour • Seifollah Heydarpour • Bagheri [Afshordi] [Daryani] the presidential campaign• Gh oandlamreza theJafari commanders• Ahma dblamedSodagar Fadavi Fazli Ghaani • Habib Kashani Saffar Khatami for his firing. The• ansecond[Moyed-Nia] letter, signed Gholampour Ghorbani Jafari Alayi Jalali Kazemi Kowsari by a group of IRGC commanders,• Assadollah Naseh threatens that if • Mehdi Rabbani Rabbani Mehrabi Qalibaf Raoufi Ghamkhar the Khatami government• M ofailsrteza Sa ftofar suppress the student Rashid Roudaki Shariati • uprising of 1999, they will• Ali S takehamkhan ithe issue into their own Naseh Shoushtari Suleimani • Ahmad Sodagar Zahedi Zohdi Hamadani hands6 (see appendix). Yazdan Since Suleimani is a signatory to both letters, his net- [Moyed-Nia] Heydarpour work may best be illustrated by two concentric circles. Kashani Jafari According to this model, signatories of both letters in the inner circle constitute Suleimani’s core network; sig- natories of one letter, who appear in the outer circle, Signatories to one letter Signatories to both letters may have a relationship with Suleimani but are not as close as the individuals in the inner circle (see figure 1). NOTE: The names signed to the letters do not include the bracketed material. The inner circle is composed of twenty-one individ- SOURCE: “Nameh-ye Sardaran-e Defae-e Moghaddas Ba’d Az Este’fa-ye Doktor Rezai” uals, including current important IRGC commanders [Letter of Sacred Defense Commanders Following Resignation of Dr. Rezai], Forum Persian Tools Blog (), May 30, 2005, http://forum.persiantools.com/t19600 such as Mohammad-Ali Aziz Jafari, IRGC chief; Ali .html (accessed February 6, 2011); and “Matn-e Kamel-e Nameh-ye Farmandehan-e Fadavi, IRGC Navy chief; Ali Fazli, deputy; and Sepah Be Khatami” [The Complete Text of the Letter of the Guards Commanders to Khatami], Aftab (Tehran), June 11, 2005, www.aftabnews.ir/vdcftjyd Esmail Ghaani, Suleimani’s deputy in the . w6de.html (accessed February 6, 2011). Twelve of them were IRGC division chiefs during the war with Iraq, which is the most significant factor. Three were Iran/Iraq war–era IRGC base chiefs, three were Comparing the careers of the officers in the inner and war-era IRGC intelligence chiefs, and two were IRGC outer circles shows that the outer members had slightly operations deputies. With the exception of Yaghoub higher positions during the war with Iraq. With the Zohdi, whose role during the war could not be estab- exception of current IRGC deputy Hossein Salami, how- lished, all members of this circle were engaged in daily ever, officers from the outer circle have become scholars warfare during the war with Iraq (see appendix). at various IRGC research centers or have gone into busi- The composition of the outer circle of Suleimani’s ness. Suleimani and other individuals from the inner cir- network is very different. Out of the sixteen members, cle had slightly lower positions during the war but enjoy four were Iran/Iraq war–era top commanders, including top positions within the IRGC today, which may indi- Mahmoud Ahmadpour, deputy IRGC minister; Ali cate that they promoted each others’ careers within the Shamkhani, IRGC ground forces chief; Hossein Alayi, IRGC (see appendix). IRGC Navy chief; and Akbar Ghamkhar, IRGC logis- This is an important insight that not only helps us tics chief. Two were division chiefs, one was a division understand Suleimani’s authority today, but also provides deputy, and one was a battalion chief. The outer circle analytical tools to assess future changes in his power. includes no base chiefs, but slightly lower-level military If Suleimani’s fortunes depend on the fortunes of the personnel: a logistics deputy, an operations deputy, and members of his network, fluctuations in their careers an intelligence deputy. This circle also includes three could indicate changes in his authority. Apart from this, IRGC navy commanders. The role of Mehdi Rabbani Suleimani and members of the inner circle may also con- and Yazdan [Moyed-Nia] during the war with Iraq could stitute the dominant faction in the IRGC responsible for not be established (see appendix). strategic decision making within the IRGC and possibly - 3- in the Islamic Republic at large. By systematically analyz- Suleimani and other commanders that opposed the opera- ing statements made by these individuals, we may at the tion did not come up with an alternative war plan.13 Fol- very least better grasp the dominant strategic thinking lowing the Iraqi counteroffensive that proved disastrous within the IRGC. for Iranian forces, Suleimani openly accused Rezai of not having a plan for the war on January 1, 1988.14 Ebbs and flows in the careers of the Suleimani’s criticism provoked harsh comments from , then–IRGC ground forces deputy.15 members of Suleimani’s network After the end of the war, Suleimani was appointed IRGC within the IRGC could serve as chief, which does not indicate a close relation- ship with Rafsanjani.16 indicators of Suleimani’s fortunes. Suleimani and Ahmadinejad

Suleimani and Rafsanjani Suleimani’s possible connections before and after the 1979 revolution with President Although Suleimani and former Iranian president Ali- and his close advisers, Mojtaba Samareh Hashemi17 and are both from Kerman Esfandiar Rahim-Mashaei, may also be a contributing Province, information about early contact between the factor to his rise in power and authority in the Islamic two is unavailable in the open-source material. There is Republic. Indeed, addressing IRGC veterans, Suleimani also no reference to contacts between Suleimani and defended the regime after Iran’s contested June 12, 2009, well-known clerical revolutionary figures from Kerman presidential elections.18 such as Mohammad-Javad Bahonar, Mohammad-Ali Suleimani could have established a working relation- Movahedi Kermani, and Yahya Jafari. It is quite possible ship with Ahmadinejad and Hashemi as early as 1979, that Suleimani and Rafsanjani did not have any ties when Suleimani was deployed with a company-size before the Iran/Iraq war. According to Rafsanjani’s mem- irregular contingent to Mahabad in West oirs, he and Suleimani had two meetings and one phone Province to suppress the Kurdish separatist uprising, as conversation during the war. On May 25, 1986, documented in his memoirs.19 That year, Ahmadinejad Suleimani, Shamkhani, Mohammad-Bagher Qalibaf, was “an adviser” to the governor of Kurdistan Province, then–Fifth Nasr Division chief, and many other IRGC which borders West Azerbaijan.20 So was Hashemi,21 commanders delivered “a bitter report on retreats” to who appeared in a photo with Ahmadinejad in Rafsanjani, who was then armed forces commander-in- Kurdistan in that period,22 but who does not seem chief.7 On December 3, 1987, Suleimani and Rafsanjani to have known Suleimani despite being a native of had a phone conversation “about future operations,”8 Kerman.23 Rahim-Mashaei, Ahmadinejad’s chief of and on December 17, 1987, Rafsanjani met with all staff, also served in the Kurdistan region in 1979. major IRGC commanders, including Suleimani, to dis- Indeed, it was Rahim-Mashaei who founded the intelli- cuss the invasion of al-Faw Peninsula, which would gence unit of the province.24 The fact that Suleimani place the Iraqi city of Basra at risk of being attacked.9 and the triumvirate of Ahmadinejad, Hashemi, and The December 3, 1987, phone conversation between Rahim-Mashaei were engaged in suppressing the Kurdish Suleimani and Rafsanjani is important because Suleimani rebellion in 1979 indicates that the four individuals have probably expressed opposition to Rezai’s plans to invade a long history of cooperation. the al-Faw Peninsula, referenced by Rafsanjani as “future operations.”10 On December 6, 1987, Suleimani—who Suleimani and Khamenei may have already secured Rafsanjani’s support in the phone conversation—and Ahmad Kazemi, Eighth Najaf Khamenei has had a close relationship with Suleimani Division chief, opposed Rezai’s plan at a planning seminar for decades. But it is not easy to establish the nature of led by Rezai.11 However, when Rafsanjani visited the the relationship between them. Khamenei usually praises front to discuss the al-Faw operation, Suleimani and war heroes only after their death, but he has made an Kazemi kept silent and did not voice their opposition to exception for Suleimani, calling him “someone who was the al-Faw offensive.12 Despite Rafsanjani’s request, martyred at the front on numerous occasions and is a - 4- living martyr of the revolution.”25 A rare Iran/Iraq war– Republic. Despite the scarce open-source material about era photo shows Suleimani sitting on the right side of Suleimani, ebbs and flows in the careers of the members Khamenei, the place of honor, while Rezai, then–IRGC of Suleimani’s network within the IRGC could also chief commander, sits on Khamenei’s left side.26 Before serve as indicators of Suleimani’s fortunes and thereby Suleimani’s recent promotion, photos of Khamenei and help us assess his authority within the IRGC and the Suleimani circulated on pro-regime websites.27 Islamic Republic at large. Suleimani’s relationship with Khamenei may have begun as early as the late 1970s. In Ramadan of 1977 and Notes 1978, Suleimani attended sermons of the revolutionary preacher Hojjat al-Eslam Reza Kamyab.28 After the revo- 1. For the first Outlook in this series, see Ali Alfoneh, lution, Kamyab was elected to the parliament from his “Brigadier General Qassem Suleimani: A Biography,” AEI Middle native Khorasan Province, but he was soon assassinated Eastern Outlook (January 2011), www.aei.org/outlook/101020. by the Mojahedin-e Khalq Organization [Sazeman-e 2. “Sardar Qassem Suleimani Be Darajeh-ye Sarlashkari Mojahedin-e Khalq] on July 29, 1981.29 Suleimani’s rela- Nael Shod” [Commander Qassem Suleimani Was Appointed tionship with Kamyab, though short, may provide the key Major General], (Tehran), January 24, 2011, to his most important early connection: Kamyab was a www.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=8911040428 (accessed student of another theologian from Khorasan Province, January 24, 2011). .30 Apart from this, Khamenei spent some 3. Ashraf Seif al-Dini, Saf—Khaterat-e Razmandegan-e Kerman time in internal exile in Jiroft in in Dar Amaliat-e Karkheh-ye Nour [The Line—Memoirs of Kerman 1978.31 However, as long as there is no further evidence Fighters in Karkheh-ye Nour Operation] (Kerman: Vadi’at, 2008). of an early relationship between the two, it is difficult to 4. “Nagofteh-ha-ye Rahim-e Safavi Az 10 Sal Farmandehi-ye assess the depth and importance of Suleimani’s personal Sepah-e Pasdaran” [Rahim Safavi’s Untold Stories from Ten relationship with Khamenei. Understanding it would help Years as Revolutionary Guards Chief], Islamic Revolution’s determine whether it has been the key factor behind Documents Center, January 11, 2010, www.irdc.ir/fa Suleimani’s rise in prominence within the IRGC. It would /content/8583/default.aspx (accessed December 19, 2010). also suggest whether Khamenei’s death or departure from 5. “Nameh-ye Sardaran-e Defae-e Moghaddas Ba’d Az Este’fa-ye politics would jeopardize Suleimani’s career. Doktor Rezai” [Letter of Sacred Defense Commanders following Resignation of Dr. Rezai], Forum Persian Tools Blog (Tehran), Conclusion May 30, 2005, http://forum.persiantools.com/t19600.html (accessed February 6, 2011). Lack of transparency and freedom of information in the 6. “Matn-e Kamel-e Nameh-ye Farmandehan-e Sepah Be Islamic Republic, especially with regard to the IRGC, Khatami” [The Complete Text of the Letter of the Guards makes it difficult to research and assess promotion pat- Commanders to Khatami], Aftab News Agency (Tehran), terns and factionalism within the IRGC. However, bio- June 11, 2005, www.aftabnews.ir/vdcftjydw6de.html (accessed graphic and open-source materials such as the two letters February 6, 2011). signed by IRGC commanders provide extremely valuable 7. Ali-Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, Karnameh va Khaterat-e information about their careers. In the case of Hashemi Rafsanjani Sal-e 1365 [Record and Memoirs of Hashemi Suleimani, the lack of data makes it difficult to establish Rafsanjani the Year 1986–1987] (Tehran: Daftar-e Nashr-e early contacts with Khamenei and the triumvirate of Maaref-e Enghelab, 2009), 107. Ahmadinejad, Hashemi, and Rahim-Mashaei. It also 8. Ali-Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, Defae va Siasat: Karnameh makes it difficult to assess the importance of such con- va Khaterat-e Hashemi Rafsanjani Sal-e 1366 [Defense and tacts and their impact on Suleimani’s career. Although Politics: Record and Memoirs of Hashemi Rafsanjani the Year Suleimani sided with Rafsanjani toward the end of the 1987–1988], ed. Alireza Hashemi (Tehran: Daftar-e Nashr-e war with Iraq, analysis of the open-source material does Maaref-e Enghelab, 2010), 383. not suggest a strong relationship between the two. This 9. Hossein Ardestani, Rouzshomar-e Jang-e Iran va Eragh Outlook therefore argues that Suleimani’s network within [Iran/Iraq War Chronology], vol. 52 (Tehran: Sepah-e Pasdaran-e the IRGC has been the most important factor contribut- Enghelab-e Eslami, 2003), 358. ing to his rise to power. This is an important insight in 10. Ali-Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, Defae va Siasat: Karnameh assessing Suleimani’s authority within the Islamic va Khaterat-e Hashemi Rafsanjani Sal-e 1366 [Defense and Politics: - 5-

Record and Memoirs of Hashemi Rafsanjani the Year 23. “Revayat-e Samareh Hashemi Az Didar-e Do Reis-Jomhour” 1987–1988], 383. [Samareh Hashemi’s Account of the Meeting of Two Presidents], 11. Hossein Ardestani, Rouzshomar-e Jang-e Iran va Eragh Alef News Agency (Tehran), November 23, 2010, http://alef.ir [Iran/Iraq War Chronology], vol. 52, 257. /1388/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=87166& 12. Ibid., 358. Itemid=99999999 (accessed January 25, 2011). 13. Ibid. 24. “Mashaei yek Moemen va Yek Modir-e Velayat- 14. Ibid., 507. Madar Ast” [Mashaei Is a Devout and Guardian Jurist–Abiding 15. Ali-Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, Defae va Siasat: Karnameh Executive], Masha News (Tehran), www.mashanews.com/%D8% va Khaterat-e Hashemi Rafsanjani Sal-e 1366 [Defense and Politics: A7%D8%AE%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B1 Record and Memoirs of Hashemi Rafsanjani the Year 1987– %D9%88%DB%8C%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%AF%D9%87%D 1988], 434. 8%A7/tabid/78/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/3318/-----.aspx 16. “Zheneral-e That-e Ta’ghib-e Amrika va Esrail” [General (accessed January 3, 2011). Wanted by the and ], Central Clubs, Decem- 25. “Ou Be Pishani-ye Khod Eshareh Kard va Goft: Tir Inja- ber 6, 2010, www.centralclubs.com/topic-t73819.html (accessed ye Man Khahad Khord” [He Pointed at His Forehead and Said: December 9, 2010). The Bullet Will Hit Me Here], Sajed (Tehran), February 17, 17. “Samareh Hashemi: Man Va Agha-ye Ahmadinejad Gahi 2007, www.sajed.ir/new/pioneers/sardar-ghasem-soleimani Ekhtelaf-e Nazar Darim Amma Tasmim-Girandeh-ye Nahayi Ou / 1853.html (accessed February 13, 2011). Ast” [Samareh Hashemi: Mr. Ahmadinejad and I Sometimes Have 26. “Aks: Ayatollah Khamenei, Shahid Bakeri, Mohsen Rezai, Differences of Opinion but He Is the Final Decision Maker], Qassem Suleimani, Rahim Safavi Dar Jebhe” [Photo: Ayatollah Khabar Online (Tehran), August 26, 2010, www.khabaronline.ir Khamenei, Martyr Bakeri, Mohsen Rezai, Qassem Suleimani, /news-87529.aspx (accessed January 29, 2011). Rahim Safavi in the Front], Rasekhoon (Tehran), January 10, 18. “Shoar-e Jomhouri-ye Irani Nafj-ye Eslam Ast” [The 2011, www.rasekhoon.net/Forum/ThreadShow-127573-1.aspx Slogan of the Iranian Republic Contradicts ], Fars News (accessed January 11, 2011). Agency (Tehran), December 24, 2009, www.farsnews.com 27. “Zheneral-e That-e Ta’ghib-e Amrika va Esrail” [General /newstext.php?nn=8810030424 (accessed December 19, 2010). Wanted by the United States and Israel], Central Clubs (Tehran), 19. “Sardar Qassemi: Gomnami Khasteh-ye Shahidan-e Ma December 6, 2010, www.centralclubs.com/topic-t73819.html Boud” [Commander Qassemi: Being Unknown Was the Wish (accessed December 9, 2010). of Our Martyrs], Jomhouri-ye Eslami (Tehran), June 7, 2005, 28. Hossein Fatemi, “Shahid Seyyed Reza Kamyab” [Martyr www.jomhourieslami.com/1384/13840317/13840317_jomhori Seyyed Reza Kamyab], Gonabad Noor (Gonbad), April 4, _islami_10_jebheh_va_jang.HTML#matlab_ (accessed Decem- 2009, www.gonabadnoor.com/ax-news/item/295-%D8%B4% ber 9, 2010). D9%87%DB%8C%D8%AF%D8%B3%DB%8C%D8% 20. “Zendeginameh” [Biography], Riasat-e Jomhouri-ye AF%D8%B1%D8%B6%D8%A7%DA%A9%D8%A7% Eslami-ye Iran (Tehran), www.president.ir/fa (accessed D9%85%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%A8.html (accessed January 31, 2011). January 25, 2010). 21. “Samareh Hashemi Este’fa Dad” [Samareh Hashemi 29. Hossein Fatemi, “Shahid Seyyed Reza Kamyab” [Martyr Resigned], Hamshahri (Tehran), April 15, 2009, www Seyyed Reza Kamyab]. .hamshahrionline.ir/news-79065.aspx (accessed January 31, 2011). 30. Ibid. 22. “Tasvir-e Montasher-Nashodeh az Ahmadineajd va 31. “Mosahebeh-ye Mohem Ba Zadsar-e Jirofti Ke Motasefaneh Hashemi Samareh Dar Kordestan” [Unpublished Photo of Sansour Shod” [Important Interview with Zadsar Jirofti Which Was Ahmadinejad and Hashemi Samareh in Kurdistan], Sarkhat Unfortunately Censored], Ali Zadsar Jirofti (Jiroft), November 15, (Tehran), November 15, 2009, www.sarkhat.com/fa/news 2010, www.zadsar.net/index.php?option=com_content&task /135416374 (accessed January 31, 2011). =view&id=1422&Itemid=1 (accessed February 28, 2011). - 6-

APPENDIX SIGNATORIES TO IRGC DECLARATIONS AND THEIR PROMOTION PATTERNS

Positions before Signed Signed and during the war Name 1997 letter1 1999 letter2 with Iraq, 1980–88 Positions since 1988 Current position

Ali[-Akbar] Ahmadian3 X IRGC Navy commander IRGC Joint Command IRGC Strategic Council chief Studies Center chief

[Mahmoud] Ahmadpour4 X Deputy IRGC minister Karbala Base logistics chief, Scholar at Entrepreneurship IRGC logistics chief, IRGC Center of Kashan University ministry logistics chief, IRGC ground forces staff chief, IRGC cooperative executive director

[Mahmoud] Ahmadpour X Karbala Base logistics IRGC ground forces Board member in large [Daryani]5 chief, Khatam al-Anbia general staff chief, companies including Iran Base logistics chief, IRGC Cooperative Foundation Khodro, Pak, Behran, logistics deputy, deputy executive director Sherkat-Madar, Arj, and IRGC minister Pasargade Oil

Hossein Alayi6 X IRGC Navy chief Air Defense Industries chief Imam Hussein University academic board member

Jafar Assadi7 X X IRGC contingent IRGC ground forces chief Khatam al-Anbia Base chief, Thirty-Third Al-Mahdi chief inspector Division chief, Nineteenth Farj Division chief

Mohammad Bagheri X X IRGC ground forces Not known General staff intelligence [Afshordi]8 intelligence chief and operations chief

Ali Fadavi9 X X Najaf Base intelligence and Khatam al-Anbia Base IRGC Navy chief operations chief, Nouh Base intelligence chief, first IRGC intelligence and operations Navy operational zone chief, chief, Hamzeh Seyyed al-Shohada IRGC Navy deputy Base intelligence and operations chief, IRGC Navy intelligence chief

Ali Fazli10 X X Tenth Seyyed al-Shohada Tehran Seyyed al-Shohada Basij deputy Division chief IRGC unit chief

Esmail Ghaani11 X X Twenty-First Imam-Reza IRGC Joint Staff IRGC Quds Force deputy, Division chief, Fifth intelligence deputy Khatam al-Anbia Base Division chief deputy, according to one source

Akbar Ghamkhar12 X IRGC logistics chief IRGC Cooperative F/C Persepolis coach, Iran board member Tourist Organizations director

Ahmad Gholampour13 X X Karbala, Fajr, and Quds Not known IRGC Strategic Studies Bases chief Center member14

Morteza Ghorbani15 X X Twenty-Fifth Karbala Not known General staff adviser Division chief

Hossein Hamadani16 X Quds Base operations deputy Basij deputy Greater Tehran Mohammad Rasoul-Allah Revolutionary Guards chief

Seifollah Heydarpour17 X Forty-Eighth Independent Fath IRGC Mechanized Academy Deceased due to exposure Battalion chief chief, Fourth Be’sat Division to chemical weapons deputy, Third Hamzeh Seyyed al-Shohada Division chief, Tehran Saheb al-Zaman Base chief

continued on next page - 7-

Positions before Signed Signed and duringthe war Name 1997 letter1 1999 letter2 with Iraq, 1980–88 Positions since 1988 Current position Gholamreza Jafari18 X Seventeenth Division chief Not known Not known

Mohammad-Ali [Aziz] X X Quds Base chief IRGC Strategic Studies Center IRGC chief Jafari19 founder and first director

Gholamreza Jalali20 X X Hamzeh Seyyed al-Shohada Passive Defense Passive Defense Base operations deputy Committee secretary Committee chief

Habib Kashani21 X Thirty-First Division deputy Western Tehran Basij chief Persepolis Soccer Club and adviser to the IRGC executive director in western Tehran

Ahmad Kazemi22 X X Eighth Najaf Division chief Fourteenth Imam Hussein Divi- Killed in plane crash sion chief, Hamzeh Seyyed on January 9, 2006 al-Shohada Base chief, Ramezan Base chief, IRGC Air Force chief, IRGC ground forces chief

Mohammad Kowsari23 X X Twenty-Seventh Mohammad Not known Parliamentarian Rasoul-Allah Division chief

Gholam[-Reza] Mehrabi24 X X Karbala Base intelligence chief Armed Forces intelligence Not known directorate chief

Yazdan [Moyed-Nia] X Not known Not known Not known

Assadollah Naseh25 X Tenth Seyyed al-Shohada IRGC ground forces inspector Not known Division chief

Mohammad-Bagher Qalibaf26 X X Fifth Nasr Division Khatam al-Anbia Construction Tehran mayor (Khorasan) chief Base chief, IRGC Air Force chief, law enforcement forces chief

Mehdi Rabbani27 X Not known Not known Tehran IRGC Tharallah Base deputy

Abd al-Mohammad Raoufi28 X X Seventh Division chief Tharallah Division chief Zanjan governor general

Gholam Ali Rashid29 X X IRGC Joint Force operations Armed Forces Joint Command General staff deputy deputy Council intelligence chief, general staff deputy

Nabi[-Allah] Roudaki30 X X Nineteenth Fajr Division chief Nineteenth Fars Lashgar chief Parliamentarian, member of the Development of Islamic Iran Party

Morteza Saffar31 X IRGC Navy commander IRGC Navy chief Not known

Hossein Salami32 X IRGC Navy commander IRGC Air Force chief IRGC deputy

Ali Shamkhani33 X IRGC ground forces chief IRGC Navy chief, Army Defense Strategic Studies Navy chief, Strategic Foreign Center director Relations Council member

Amin Shariati34 X X Thirty-First Ashoura () Not known Not known Division chief

Nour-Ali Shoushtari35 X X Najaf Base chief Hamzeh Seyyed al-Shohada Killed Base chief (), IRGC ground forces chief

Ahmad Sodagar36 X Quds Base intelligence chief Twenty-Fifth Karbala Sacred Defense Research Division chief Center chief

Qassem Suleimani37 X X Forty-First Division chief IRGC commander in Kerman IRGC Quds Force chief in the 1990s

continued on next page - 8-

Positions before Signed Signed and duringthe war Name 1997 letter1 1999 letter2 with Iraq, 1980–88 Positions since 1988 Current position

Ali[-Reza] Zahedi,38 X X Fourteenth Division chief Representative of the Supreme IRGC Quds Force chief aka Mohammad-Reza Leader to Lebanon, second in Lebanon Mahdavi and Hojjat secretary at the Islamic al-Eslam Zahedi Republic’s Embassy in Beirut, IRGC Quds Force chief in Lebanon and , IRGC Air Force chief, IRGC ground forces chief

Yaghoub Zohdi39 X X Not known IRGC human resource chief Not known

NOTES TO APPENDIX: 8. Hossein Ardestani, Rouzshmar-e Jang-e Iran va Eragh [Iran/Iraq War 1. “Nameh-ye Sardaran-e Defae-e Moghaddas Ba’d Az Este’fa-ye Doktor Chronology], vol. 52, 215, 699; “Ba Hozour-e Farmandehan-e Alirotbeh-ye Rezai” [Letter of Sacred Defense Commanders following Resignation of Nirou-ha-ye Mossallah, Peikar-e Shahid Mousavi Az Mahal-e Setad-e Nirou-ye Dr. Rezai], Forum Persian Tools Blog (Tehran), May 30, 2005, Zamini Tashie Shod” [Funeral Procession of Martyr Mousavi from the Guards’ http://forum.persiantools.com/t19600.html (accessed February 6, 2011). Ground Forces Headquarters in the Presence of High Ranking Commanders 2. “Matn-e Kamel-e Nameh-ye Farmandehan-e Sepah Be Khatami” of the Armed Forces], Arya News (Tehran), www.aryanews.com/Lct/fa- [The Complete Text of the Letter of the Guards Commanders to Khatami], Aftab ir/News/20101108/20101108133039524.htm (accessed February 5, News Agency (Tehran), June 11, 2005, www.aftabnews.ir/vdcftjydw6de 2011); and “Goftegou ba Madar-e Shahid Gholam-Hossein Afshordi .html (accessed February 6, 2011). . (Hassan Bagheri)” [Conversation with Mother of Martyr Gholam-Hossein 3. Mehdi Ansari and Mahmoud Yazdanfam, Rouzshomar-e Jang-e Iran va Afshordi (Hassan Bagheri)], Nosaziir Blog (Tehran), October 5, 2006, Eragh [Iran/Iraq War Chronology], vol. 51 (Tehran: Markaz-e Motale’at va http://nosaziir.blogfa.com/post-43.aspx (accessed February 8, 2011). Tahghighat-e Jang, 2008), 942; and “Tey-e Ahkami Jodaganeh, Entesab-e 9. Hossein Ardestani, Rouzshmar-e Jang-e Iran va Eragh [Iran/Iraq War Riasat-e Markaz-e Rahbordi Va Reis-e Setad-e Moshtarak-e Sepah” [Following Chronology], vol. 52, 546; Mehdi Ansari and Mahmoud Yazdanfam, Separate Decrees, Appointment of the Strategic Center and Guards General Rouzshomar-e Jang-e Iran va Eragh [Iran/Iraq War Chronology], vol. 51, Staff Chiefs], Daftar-e Hefz Va Nashr-e Asar-e Hazrat-e 947; “Entesab-e Farmandeh-ye Nirou-ye Daryayi-ye Sepah-e Pasdaran-e Ayatollah al-Ozma Khamenei (Tehran), September 20, 2007, http://farsi Enghelab-e Eslami” [Appointment of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards .khamenei.ir/message-content?id=270 (accessed February 5, 2011). Corps Navy Chief], Daftar-e Hefz Va Nashr-e Asar-e Hazrat-e Ayatollah 4. Hossein Ardestani, Rouzshmar-e Jang-e Iran va Eragh [Iran/Iraq War al-Ozma Khamenei (Tehran), May 3, 2010, http://farsi.khamenei.ir Chronology], vol. 52, 698; and “Naghsh-e Dar Nowavari Dar /message-content?id=9309 (accessed July 9, 2010); and “Mokhtasari Defae-e Moghadas” [Ali Hashemi’s Role in Innovation during the Sacred Az Zendeginameh-ye Sardar-e Daryadar-e Pasdar ” [Short Defense], Tabnak News Agency, www.tabnak.ir/fa/news/98800/%D9% Biography of Commander Admiral of the Guards Ali Fadavi], Sepah 86%D9%82%D8%B4-%D8%B9%D9%84%DB%8C-%D9%87%D8%A7% News (Tehran), http://sepahnews.ir/shownews .Aspx?ID=a9de4b2 D8%B4%D9%85%DB%8C-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D9%86%D9%88%D8% d-e5c1-403b-b03d-b261ffbd8ca4 (accessed July 9, 2010). A2%D9%88%D8%B1%DB%8C-%D8%AF%D9%81%D8%A7%D8%B9- 10. Hossein Ardestani, Rouzshmar-e Jang-e Iran va Eragh [Iran/Iraq War %D9%85%D9%82%D8%AF%D8%B3 (accessed February 5, 2011). Chronology], vol. 52, 703; “Sardar Ali Fazli Farmandeh-ye Sepah-e Seyyed 5. “Doktor Mahmoud Ahmadpour Daryani” [Dr. Mahmoud Ahmadpour al-Shohada-ye Ostan-e Tehran Shod” [Commander Fazli Appointed Tehran Daryani], Markaz-e Karafarini-ye Daneshgah-e Kashan (Kashan), August 5, Seyyed al-Shohada Guards Chief], Fars News Agency (Tehran), June 29, 2009, http://karafarin.kashanu.ac.ir/index.php?option=com_content&task 2008, www.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=8704091090 (accessed =view&id=43&Itemid=111 (accessed February 7, 2011). February 5, 2011). 6. “Hossein Alayi: Sepah Bish Az Har Sazemani Niaz-Darad Emam va 11. Hossein Ardestani, Rouzshmar-e Jang-e Iran va Eragh [Iran/Iraq War Andisheh-ha-ye Emam Ra Dorost Beshenasad” [Hossein Alayi: The Guards Is Chronology], vol. 52, 703; “Naghsh-e Pishmargan-e Kord Dar Defae-e in Need of Knowing the Imam and His Thought Better Than Any Other Moghaddas Sanadi Bar Velayatmadari-ye Anha Ast” [The Role of the Organization], Jamaran (Tehran), April 22, 2010, www.jamaran.ir/fa/News Kurdish Pishmergs during the Sacred Defense Proves Their Obedience to Content-id_14374.aspx (accessed February 5, 2011). Jurist], Fars News Agency (Tehran), September 30, 2010, 7. Said Qasseminezhad, “Mohammad-Jafar Assadi, Farmandeh-ye Pishin-e www.farsnews .com/newstext.php?nn=8907071860 (accessed February 5, Nirou-ye Zamini-ye Sepah” [Mohammad-Jafar Assadi, Former Guards 2011); and Abed Khorasani, “Gozareshi az Marasem-e Tashi-e Peikar-e Ground Forces Chief], Khodnevis, March 17, 2010, www.khodnevis.org Sardar Hajj Hossein Khatib” [Report on Funeral Procession of Commander /persian/%D8%B1%D8%B3%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%87%E2%80%8C% Hajj Hossein Khatib], Torghabeh Online (Torghabeh), June 24, 2010, D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%AE%D9%88%D8%AF%D9%85%D8% www.torghabehonline.com/news/detail.asp?id=5392 (accessed Febru- A7%D9%86%DB%8C/%D8%B3%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA ary 28, 2011). /5431-%D9%85%D8%AD%D9%85%D8%AF-%D8%AC%D8%B9% D9% 12. Mehdi Ansari and Mahmoud Yazdanfam, Rouzshomar-e Jang-e Iran va 81%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AF%DB%8C%D8%8C-%D9%81% Eragh [Iran/Iraq War Chronology], vol. 51, 947; “Sarmayeh-Gozari-ye D8%B1%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AF%D9%87-%D9%BE%DB% Khareji Dar Iran” [Foreign Investment in Iran], Sarmayeh-Gozari-ye Khareji 8C%D8%B4%DB%8C%D9%86-%D9%86%DB%8C%D8%B1%D9% Dar Iran (Tehran), August 24, 2007, www.foreigninvestment.blogfa.com 88%DB%8C-%D8%B2%D9%85%DB%8C%D9%86%DB%8C-%D8% / post-70.aspx (accessed February 7, 2011); and “Sardaran-e Sepah-e B3%D9%BE%D8%A7%D9%87.html (accessed February 5, 2011); Hossein Pasdaran Dar Tim-ha-ye Football-e Iran” [Revolutionary Guards Commanders Ardestani, Rouzshmar-e Jang-e Iran va Eragh [Iran/Iraq War Chronology], in Iran’s Soccer Teams], Persiands, June 10, 2010, http://0.persiands vol. 52 (Tehran: Sepah-e Pasdaran-e Enghelab-e Eslami, 2003) 698; and .com/thread59972.html (accessed February 7, 2011). Mohammad-Mehdi Behdarvand, Kelid-e Parvaz [The Key to Flight] (Qum: 13. Hossein Ardestani, Rouzshmar-e Jang-e Iran va Eragh [Iran/Iraq War Markaz-e Nashr-e Sobh-e Misagh, 2002). Chronology], vol. 52, 702; “Sardar Ahmad Gholampour: Emam Khomeini - 9-

Movafagh-Tarin Farmandeh-ye Defae Moghadas Boud” [Commander Ahmad Reis-e Markaz-e Rahbordi-ye Sepah-e Pasdaran-e Enghelab-e Eslami” Gholampour: Imam Khomeini Was the Most Successful Commander of the [Appointment of Ground Forces Chief and Strategic Studies Center Chief of Sacred Defense], Sajed (Tehran), March 4, 2009, www.sajed.ir/new the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps], Paygah-e Ettela’e-Resani-ye Daftar-e /behind-the-war/13023.html (accessed February 10, 2011). Mo’azzam-e Rahbari (Tehran), July 20, 2005, http://farsi.khamenei.ir 14. “Sardar Gholampour Dar Goftegou ba BORNA Matrah Kard” /message-content?id=179 (accessed February 10, 2011); and “Dar Rasa-ye [Commander Gholampour Discussed during Conversation with BORNA], Hajj Ahmad Kazemi” [In Praise of Hajj Ahmad Kazemi], Aftab News Agency Radinshop (Tehran), October 9, 2010, www.radinshop.net/index.php? (Tehran), September 27, 2008, www.aftab.ir/articles/view/religion/religion page=newsStory&t=s&news=1081 (accessed February 9, 2011). /c7c1222517785_shahid_ahmad_kazemi_p1.php/%D8%AF% D8%B1- 15. Hossein Ardestani, Rouzshmar-e Jang-e Iran va Eragh [Iran/Iraq War %D8%B1%D8%AB%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%AD%D8%A7%D8%AC- Chronology], vol. 52, 703; “Goftegou Ba Sardar Morteza Ghorbani” [Con- %D8%A7%D8%AD%D9%85%D8%AF-%DA%A9%D8%A7%D8%B8% versation with Commander Morteza Ghorbani], Sajed, November 3, 2010, D9%85%DB%8C (accessed February 10, 2011). http://kh-razavi.sajed.ir/nashriat/132---q-----q-/911-1389-08-12-07-23-47.html 23. Hossein Ardestani, Rouzshmar-e Jang-e Iran va Eragh [Iran/Iraq War (accessed February 10, 2011). Chronology], vol. 52, 703. 16. Mehdi Ansari and Mahmoud Yazdanfam, Rouzshomar-e Jang-e Iran va 24. Ibid.; and “Tashie-e Peykar-e Shahid Mousavi Az Nirou-ye Zamini-ye Eragh [Iran/Iraq War Chronology], vol. 51, 951; “Goftegou Ba Hajj Hossein Sepah” [Funeral Procession of the Body of Martyr Mousavi from the Hamadani Janeshin-e Farmandeh-ye Nirou-ye Moghavemat-e Basij” [Conver- Guards’ Ground Forces], Farda News (Tehran), November 8, 2010, sation with Hajj Hossein Hamadani Basij Resistance Force Deputy], www.fardanews.com/fa/news/125069 (accessed February 25, 2011). (Tehran), September 25, 2008, www.magiran.com/npview.asp?ID= 25. “Sardar Naseh: Setad-e Gharargah-e Najaf va Golf Do Jayi Boud Ke 1707313 (accessed February 5, 2011); and “Sardar Hamadani: Basij-e Bou-ye Shahid Be Mashamam Resid” [Commander Naseh: The Head- Dah-ha Millioni Tashkil Midahim” [Commander Hamadani: We Will quarters of Najaf and Golf Bases Were Places Where I Sensed the Organize A Ten-Million-Man Basij], Islamic Republic News Agency (Tehran), Scent of the Martyrs], Jomhouri-ye Eslami (Tehran), September 27, 2003, November 24, 2010, www.irna.ir/NewsShow.aspx?NID=30090571 www.jomhourieslami.com/1382/13820705/13820705_jomhori_ (accessed February 5, 2011). islami_10_jebheh_va_jang.HTML (accessed February 10, 2011). 17. Hossein Ardestani, Rouzshmar-e Jang-e Iran va Eragh [Iran/Iraq War 26. Hossein Ardestani, Rouzshmar-e Jang-e Iran va Eragh [Iran/Iraq War Chronology], vol. 52, 700; and “Sardar-e Janbaz Seyfollah Heydarpour be Chronology], vol. 52, 703; and “Zendeginameh-ye Mohammad-Bagher Qal- Yaran-e Shahidash Peyvast” [Veteran Commander Seyfollah Heydarpour to ibaf” [Mohammad-Baqer Qalibaf’s Biography], Torghabeh Online His Martyred Comrades], Navid-e Shahed (Tehran), January 27, 2008, (Torghabeh), www.torghabehonline.com/news/detail.asp?id=80 (accessed www.navideshahed.com/fa/index.php?Page=definitionnews&UID=91109 February 9, 2011). (accessed February 10, 2011). 27. “Hozour-e Basij Dar Akharin Marhaleh-ye Razmayesh-e 18. Hossein Ardestani, Rouzshmar-e Jang-e Iran va Eragh [Iran/Iraq War Payambar-e Azam” [Presence of the Basij at the Final Stage of the Chronology], vol. 52, 699. Great Prophet War Game], Hamshahri (Tehran), November 11, 2006, 19. Ibid.; “Zendeginameh: Mohammad-Ali Jafari” [Biography: Mohammad- www.hamshahrionline.ir/news-8026.aspx (accessed February 9, 2011). Ali Jafari], Hamshahri (Tehran), September 2, 2007, http://hamshahrionline.ir 28. Hossein Ardestani, Rouzshmar-e Jang-e Iran va Eragh [Iran/Iraq War /news-30431.aspx (accessed February 10, 2011); “Biografi-ye Farmandeh- Chronology], vol. 52, 700; “Moghavemat-e 4 Rouzeh-ye Bacheh-ha-ye ye Jadid-e Sepah-e Pasdaran” [Biography of the New Guards Commander], Dezfoul Bargi Mandegar Dar Tarikh-e Defa-e Moghadas” [Four-Day-Long Alef News Agency (Tehran), September 2, 2007, http://alef.ir/content Resistance of the Dezfoul Kids, an Eternal Tale in the History of the /view/14328 (accessed February 10, 2011); “Farmandeh-ye Jadid-e Sacred Defense], Jomhouri-ye Eslami (Tehran), October 21, 2003, Sepah-e Pasdaran Kist?” [Who Is the New Guards Chief?] Aftab News www.jomhourieslami.com/1382/13820729/13820729_jomhori_islami_ Agency (Tehran), September 3, 2007, www.aftab.ir/articles/view/politics 10_jebheh_va_jang.HTML (accessed February 10, 2011); and “Akhbar-e /iran/c1c1188816499p1.php/%D9%81%D8%B1%D9%85%D8%A7%D9 Ostan” [News from the Province], Ostandari-ye Zanjan (Zanjan), January 31, %86%D8%AF%D9%87-%D8%AC%D8%AF%DB%8C%D8%AF-%D8%B3% 2011, www.ostandari-zn.ir/find.php?item=1.84.3214.fa (accessed Febru- D9%BE%D8%A7%D9%87-%D9%BE%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AF%D8% ary 10, 2011). A7%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86-%DA%A9%DB%8C%D8%B3%D8%AA 29. Hossein Ardestani, Rouzshmar-e Jang-e Iran va Eragh [Iran/Iraq War (accessed February 10, 2011); and “Entesab-e Farmandeh-ye Nirou-ye Chronology], vol. 52, 701. Zamini va Reis-e Markaz-e Rahbordi-ye Sepah-e Pasdaran-e Enghelab-e 30. Hossein Ardestani, Rouzshmar-e Jang-e Iran va Eragh [Iran/Iraq War Eslami” [Appointment of Ground Forces and Strategic Studies Chronology], vol. 52, 701; “Dar In Nezam Ray-e Mardom Mohem Ast” [In Center of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps], Paygah-e Ettela’ This Regime, Popular Vote Is Important], Howzeh (Qum), www.hawzah.net e-Resani-ye Daftar-e Mo’azzam-e Rahbari (Tehran), August 20, 2010, /Hawzah/Magazines/MagArt.aspx?MagazineNumberID=6200&id= http:// farsi.khamenei.ir/message-content?id=179 (accessed Febru- 65837 (accessed February 10, 2011); and “Fehrest Va Arayesh-e ary 10, 2011). Entekhabati-ye Janah-ha-ye Siasi Dar Sarasar-e Keshvar” [List of Electoral 20. Mehdi Ansari and Mahmoud Yazdanfam, Rouzshomar-e Jang-e Iran va Alliances in the Country], (Tehran), January 12, 2008, Eragh [Iran/Iraq War Chronology], vol. 51, 943; and “Mabna-ye Harekat-e www.mehrnews.com/fa/newsdetail.aspx?NewsID=619980 (accessed Sepah Bar Nirou-ye Ensani-ye Moteahed Ast” [The Human Resource Is the February 10, 2011). Basis of the Movement of the Guards], Sobh-e Sadegh (Tehran), November 10, 31. Hossein Ardestani, Rouzshmar-e Jang-e Iran va Eragh [Iran/Iraq 2008, www.sobhesadegh.ir/1387/0375/M04.HTM (accessed Febru- War Chronology], vol. 52, 702; and “Amrika Tamam-Konandeh-ye Jang ary 10, 2011). Aley-he Iran Nakhahad Boud” [The United States Will Not Be the Party 21. Mehdi Ansari and Mahmoud Yazdanfam, Rouzshomar-e Jang-e Iran va Which Will End the War against Iran], Fars News Agency (Tehran), Eragh [Iran/Iraq War Chronology], vol. 51, 948; “Havadaran-e Hajj Habib March 22, 2007, www.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=8601020033 Kashani” [Supporters of Hajj Habib Kashani], Hajj Habib Kashani (Tehran), (accessed February 10, 2011). www.hajhabibekashani.blogfa.com (accessed February 10, 2011); and 32. Hossein Ardestani, Rouzshmar-e Jang-e Iran va Eragh [Iran/Iraq War “Darbareh-ye Weblog” [About the Weblog], Haj Habib Kashani (Tehran), Chronology], vol. 52, 701; “Entesabat-e Farmandeh-ye Nirou-ye Zamini va November 5, 2008, http://hajhabibekashani. blogfa.com (accessed Febru- Farmandeh-ye Nirou-ye Havayi-ye Sepah-e Pasdaran Tavasot-e Rahbar-e ary 7, 2011). Moazam-e Enghelab-e Eslami” [Appointment of Revolutionary Guards Ground 22. Hossein Ardestani, Rouzshmar-e Jang-e Iran va Eragh [Iran/Iraq War Forces and Air Force Chiefs by the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution], Chronology], vol. 52, 703; “Entesab-e Farmandehi-ye Nirou-ye Zamini va Paygah-e Ettela’e-Resani-ye Daftar-e Mo’azzam-e Rahbari (Tehran), January 21, - 10 -

2006, http://farsi.khamenei.ir/message-content?id=202 (accessed February Sodagar from the Eighth Valfajr Operation], Mojadeleh (Tehran), September 24, 6, 2011); and “Entesabat-e Jadid Dar Sepah-e Pasdaran-e Enghelab-e 2007, http://mojadele.blogfa.com/post-124.aspx (accessed February 25, Eslami” [New Appointments in Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps], 2011). See also “Tamarkoz-e Pazhouheshgah-e Defa-e Moghaddas Bar Paygah-e Ettela’e-Resani-ye Daftar-e Mo’azzam-e Rahbari (Tehran), October 5, Momayezi-ye Asar-e Nezami va Estratezhik” [The Sacred Defense Research 2009, http://farsi.khamenei.ir/message-content?id=8144 (accessed Febru- Center’s Concentration on Censuring Military and Strategic Works], IBNA ary 6, 2011). (Tehran), May 30, 2010, www.ibna.ir/vdcirvay.t1aur2bcct.html (accessed 33. Hossein Ardestani, Rouzshmar-e Jang-e Iran va Eragh [Iran/Iraq War February 25, 2011). Chronology], vol. 52, 701; “Hokm-e Entesab-e Daryadar Ali Shamkhani, 37. “Sardar Hajj-Qassem Suleimani Dar Marasem-e Moarefeh-ye Farmandeh-ye Nirou-ye Daryayi-ye Artesh-e Jomhouri-ye Eslami-ye Iran, Farmandeh-ye Jadid-e Kol-le Sepah” [Commander Hajj-Qassem Suleimani Ba Hefz-e Semat, Be Farmandehi-ye Nirou-ye Daryayi-ye Sepah-e Pasdaran-e at the Appointment Ceremony of the New Guards’ Chief], Khakriz 8 Enghelab-e Eslami” [Decree Appointing Admiral Ali Shamkhani, Islamic (Tehran), September 4, 2007, www.khakriz8.blogfa.com/post-83.aspx Republic of Iran Navy Chief, to Revolutionary Guards Navy Chief, As Well], (accessed February 25, 2011); and “Goftegou-ye Ekhtesasi Ba Moshaver-e Paygah-e Ettela’e-Resani-ye Daftar-e Mo’azzam-e Rahbari (Tehran), Decem- Ali va Dastyare Farmandehi-ye Koll-e Ghova: Amrika Ghodrat-e Mantagheh-i- ber 23, 1990, http://farsi.khamenei.ir/message-content?id=2396 (accessed ye Iran ra Pazirofteh ast” [Exclusive Interview with Adviser to the Commander February 6, 2011); “Hokm-e Entesab-e Agha-ye Ali Shamkhani Be Semat-e in Chief: The United States Has Recognized Iran’s Regional Power], Iran Farmandehi-ye Nirou-ye Daryayi-e Artesh-e Jomhouri-ye Eslami-ye Iran” Defense (Tehran), September 29, 2007, www.irandefence.net/archive [Decree Appointing Mr. Ali Shamkhani Islamic Republic of Iran Navy Chief], /index.php/t-21801.html (accessed February 25, 2011). Paygah-e Ettela’e-Resani-ye Daftar-e Mo’azzam-e Rahbari (Tehran), October 38. Hossein Ardestani, Rouzshmar-e Jang-e Iran va Eragh [Iran/Iraq War 30, 1989, http://farsi.khamenei.ir/message-content?id=2215 (accessed Chronology], vol. 52, 701; “Entesab-e Farmandeh-ye Nirou-ye Havayi-ye February 6, 2011); “Entesab-e Riasat-e Showra-ye Rahbordi-ye Ravabet-e Sepah-e Pasdaran-e Enghelab-e Eslami” [Appointment of Islamic Revolution- Khareji Tavasot-e Rahbar-e Mo’azam-e Enghelab-e Eslami” [Appointment ary Guards Corps Air Force Chief], Paygah-e Ettela’e-Resani-ye Daftar-e of the Head of the Council on Strategic Foreign Relations by the Supreme Mo’azzam-e Rahbari (Tehran), August 25, 2005, http://farsi.khamenei.ir Leader of the Islamic Revolution], Paygah-e Ettela’e-Resani-ye Daftar-e /message-content?id=180 (accessed February 6, 2011); “Sardar Mo’azzam-e Rahbari (Tehran), June 25, 2006, http://farsi.khamenei.ir Mohammad-Reza Zahedi Koja Gheibash Zadeh Ast?” [What Has /message-content?id=216 (accessed February 6, 2011); and “Entesab-e Become of Commander Mohammad-Reza Zahedi?] Reyakaran News, Riasat-e Markaz-e Tahghighat-e Rahbordi-ye Defaei Va Moaven-e Bazresi-ye www.reyakarannews.com/2008/10/blog-post_16.html (accessed Setad-e Koll-e Nirou-ha-ye Mossalah” [Appointment of the Strategic February 8, 2011). 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