Mohammad Bagheri (Persian:محمد باقری; 1960 – 13 June 2025; bornMohammad-Hossein Afshordi;[5]محمدحسین افشردی) was an Iranian military officer in theIslamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), who served as theChief of Staff of theIranian Armed Forces from 2016 to 2025.[6] The chief of staff is considered the highest ranking military officer in the Islamic Republic of Iran and is responsible for the coordination and supervision ofIran’s regular army (Artesh) and theIslamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).[7] Bagheri was killed along with other senior officers during aseries of airstrikes launched by Israel on 13 June 2025.[8] He was the highest ranking military officer in Iran at the time of his death.[9]
Mohammad Bagheri was one of Iran's most prominent military commanders and served as Chief of Staff of theArmed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran from 2016 until his death in June 2025. He was born into a revolutionary and religious family inTehran. He was the younger brother ofHassan Bagheri (Gholamhossein Afshordi), the founder of theIRGC's Operations Intelligence Unit. Mohammad Bagheri played a key role in strengthening Iran's defense capabilities, with more than 45 years of service in theIRGC. He was killed in the early hours of Friday, June 13, 2025, at the age of 65, following an attack onTehran by Israel.[10]
Mohammad Bagheri was in his final year of high school at the time of theIranian revolution. After the revolution, he switched to technical courses at the university and was accepted into theMechanical Engineering Department of thePolytechnic University. He continued his studies until theCultural Revolution. Iran universities were closed in the spring of 1980 due to theCultural Revolution. Bagheri began working in theIRGC in the summer of 1980.[12]
Bagheri was a member of a group identified by theAmerican Enterprise Institute (AEI) as theIRGC Command Network, which included other commanders such asMohammad Ali Jafari,Ali Fadavi, andGholam Ali Rashid (who was also killed on 13 June 2025). According to AEI's Critical Threats Project, as of 2016 the group dominated “the upper echelons of Iran's military and controls planning, operations, intelligence, covert and irregular warfare operations, and internal security."[24] He was promoted from his previous position as deputy chief of staff for intelligence and operations in theGeneral Staff of Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran[4] on 28 June 2016, replacingHassan Firouzabadi.[25]
In February 2022, Bagheri announced that Iran would continue advancing itsballistic missile programme, both "in terms of quantity and quality".[27]
On 21 October 2022, aWhite House press release stated that Iranian troops were inCrimea assisting Russia in launchingdrone attacks.[28] Bagheri was the commander overseeing the Iranian army branches supplying Russia with drones.[29]
On 3 December 2023, Bagheri suggested during meetings inBaghdad that Iran might directly intervene in the escalating tensions with the United States, in support of efforts to expel American forces from the region.[30]
On 17 April 2025, Bagheri held talks inTehran with Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Defense,Khalid bin Salman Al Saud, in the highest profile talks between the two countries in decades.[31]
Mohammad Bagheri held significant responsibilities during the Iran–Iraq War. After the war ended, he remained committed to his path and continued to serve theIslamic Republic of Iran. His military and academic background includes:[32]
Military records
Mohammad Bagheri's major military activities are as follows:[10][33]
Operational forces in the early stages of theIran–Iraq War
Operation Designer and Approver:Mohammad Bagheri played a key role in designing and approving the 1996 operation to attackIraqi soil, aimed at confronting terrorist groups
From 2002 to 2016, Mohammad Bagheri served as Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence and Operations of the General Staff of theArmed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran and as Deputy Coordinator of theKhatam-al Anbiya Central Headquarters, where he renovated the intelligence and operational structures of the Armed Forces of Iran. During his tenure as Chief of Staff of theGeneral Staff of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran (from June 28, 2016, to June 13, 2025), Bagheri played a significant role in integrating intelligence, developing missile capabilities, strengthening cyber warfare capacities, and advancing Iran’s cross-border operations. By formulating and presenting new, scientific security theories, he contributed substantially to the strategic enhancement of theIranian Defense Forces. Bagheri has been a fundamental and key figure in advancing Iran’s military self-sufficiency.[10]
Mohammad Bagheri's innovative initiatives during his tenure as Chief of Staff of theArmed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran included strengthening cyber infrastructure and developing indigenous technologies, such as drones and missile systems. He accelerated the advancement of the scientific and operational capabilities of the Armed Forces of Iran by emphasizing the education and training of specialized personnel. As a researcher inpolitical geography andgeopolitics, Bagheri also provided critical analyses that contributed to the development of Iran's grand defense strategies. His establishment of the Iranian Association of Geopolitics and participation in scientific conferences demonstrated his commitment to integrating theoretical knowledge with practical experience in the defense system of Iran.[10][36][37]
Awards and badges
This section includes Mohammad Bagheri'sofficial insignia and awards, which were worn on hisuniform. His civilian and unofficial awards are not listed here.[10]
Member of the Scientific Committee of Political Geography of Iran
Member of the Founding Board of the Iranian Geopolitical Association
Author of numerous scientific articles in the fields of geopolitics and political geography
Publications
Mohammad Bagheri has published works on the geopolitics of theCaucasus, the West Asian region, and international maritime law in thePersian Gulf and theStrait of Hormuz, including the following:[10]
A study and analysis of the US preventive war guidelines in Southwest Asia
Determining the factors affecting the principles of the operational guidelines of the Islamic Republic of Iran's ground forces in asymmetric and symmetric combat
The function of theTaliban deterrence model in the US preventive war againstAfghanistan in 2001 (with an emphasis on internal Afghan factors)
Explanation of effective indicators in border management
Geopolitical threats affecting the formulation of the defense strategy of the Islamic Republic of Iran TowardsTurkey
The impact ofShiite geopolitical factors on the expansion of the influence of the Islamic Revolution
Determining the geopolitical factors of Turkey affecting the formulation of the defense strategy of the Islamic Republic of Iran
Sustainable security in the geopolitical region of the Persian Gulf in light of the instability of convergent and divergent forces
Explanation of the boundaries of the computer space and their management strategy
The structure of the regional power system in theMiddle East (with emphasis on the superior countries of the region)
A theoretical model for designing a defense strategy based on geopolitical factors
Investigating the degree of conformity and differences between the law of the maritime zones of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the Persian Gulf and theSea of Oman (1993) and the Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982)
Analysis of the geopolitical situation of the Caucasus; a platform for formulating a more appropriate foreign policy in the region
Determining the geopolitical factors of Turkey affecting the formulation of the defense strategy of the Islamic Republic of Iran
Explanation of the political outcome of transferring the exploitation of theMakran coast to domestic investment
* Note: Most of Bagheri's writings is inPersian language, but some of them translated into English too.
One of the topics discussed regarding Bagheri is his strategic theories, including the "Makran Coast Development Plan" and evena futuristic vision for the "Antarctica". As the Deputy Chief of Staff for Joint Affairs of the Armed Forces of Iran, Bagheri presented his ideas at the closing ceremony of the "First National Conference on Science, Marine Industries and Sustainable Development of the Makoran Coast",[38] held inChabahar, on the "Development of the Makran Coast" and the "Maritime Power of the Islamic Republic of Iran". Bagheri stated there:[39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47]
"We have direct access to the open waters ofAntarctica from the coast ofMakran, with no land obstructing the way. Additionally, we can claim sovereignty over a portion of Antarctica in accordance with international law."
"War is a sinister and unjustifiable phenomenon that humans should reject, especially theIranian nation, which has a rich and proud history. TheIran–Iraq War was a conflict imposed on the Iranian people. A review of Iran’s 200-year history shows that the Iranian nation has never been aggressive or initiated war. The eight-year conflict between us andIraq, was a defensive struggle for us in which Iran was solely protecting itself.
The older brother of Mohammad Bagheri (born Mohammad Hossein Afshordi), wasHassan Bagheri (born Gholamhossein Afshordi).Hassan Bagheri was the first head of intelligence and operations for theIslamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Mohammad Bagheri provided the following explanation for changing his surname from "Afshordi" to "Bagheri":[70][71][72][73]
In the first month of theIran–Iraq War, I went toAhvaz and appeared on theKhuzestan front. My brother reminded me that his name had been changed to "Hassan Bagheri" at the front to avoid identification, and since your name was Afshordi, we should not be confused. I tried to use my real name, but our faces were so similar that everyone realized we were brothers. At the same time, Gholamhossein was very insistent that his name remain undisclosed. To protect his identity, I also changed my name and became "Mohammad Bagheri". Out of respect for my brother, this name stayed with us. Davoud Karimi, then head of Southern Operations, would later joke with us, saying, "Cousin's brother."
Sanctions
On 8 April 2019, the United States designated Iran's Revolutionary Guards as aforeign terrorist organization.[74] Prime MinisterBenjamin Netanyahu of Israel immediately thanked PresidentDonald Trump on Twitter.[74] Bagheri said, "We consider the U.S. troops inWest Asia to be terrorists and if they do a damn thing, we will confront them vigorously."[75]
In 2022, following harsh suppression of Iranian protesters during theMahsa Amini protests, Bagheri was sanctioned by the United States and Canada.[76] He was also sanctioned by the United Kingdom in 2022 in relation to theRusso-Ukrainian War.[77]
In October 2022, the European Union sanctioned Bagheri for his involvement inproviding drones to Russia, used in attacks against Ukraine. The sanctions included asset freezes and travel bans. Bagheri publicly mocked the EU sanctions, saying:
"I have a humanitarian proposal for the European Union. I give them the permission to confiscate all the properties and assets of Maj. Gen. Mohammad Bagheri from all bank accounts in the world and use them to buy coal for European citizens. A difficult winter is ahead".[78][79][80]
The EU Council Decision stated that Bagheri had played a key role in strengthening defence cooperation with Russia. The report says "He also participated in the development ofMohajer-6 drones and their supply to the Russian Federation for their use in the war of aggression against Ukraine. Therefore, Major-General Mohammad Hossein Bagheri is responsible for supporting actions which undermine or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine."[81]
As Deputy for Strategic Planning (2000s), Bagheri oversaw advancements in Iran'sballistic missile anddrone programs, later central to its "missile shield" doctrine.[83]
Strategic doctrines on U.S./Israel
Bagheri has consistently promoted "asymmetricdeterrence", stating in a 2021 speech: "Threats must be neutralized at their origin."[84]
Death
Commemoration ceremony forLieutenant General Mohammad Bagheri, Tuesday, July 08, 2025, Sadrieh Mosque,Tehran.
Bagheri was killed by theJune 2025 Israeli strikes on Iran, reported both Iranian state media and the Israeli military; he was succeeded byAbdolrahim Mousavi.[85][86] His funeral held on 28 June was set to take place along with those of all the top commanders killed during the Iran–Israel war.[87]
Bagheri was targeted in his home duringIsraeli airstrikes on Iran in the early hours of Friday (Day off of the week in Iran), June 13, 2025, and was killed along with his wife, Ashraf Bagheri,[10] and his daughter, Fereshteh Bagheri.[88]
The body of Mohammad Bagheri (Afshordi) was buried in "Plot 24" of the "Behesht-e Zahra Martyrs' Garden" inTehran, alongside the bodies of his wife, Ashraf Bagheri (Afshordi), and his daughter, Fereshteh Bagheri (Afshordi).[89][90][91][92][93][94]
Commemoration ceremony
A commemoration ceremony for Mohammad Bagheri was held on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, at the Sadrieh Mosque inTehran. The event was attended by commanders, military and civil officials, as well as the people ofTehran.[95][96]
Iran
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