Iranian Supreme Leader names permanent IRGC chief commander

By Betul Yilmaz

ISTANBUL (AA) - Iranian Supreme Leader Khamenei named Brig. Gen. Mohammad Pakpour as the new permanent chief commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp (IRGC), local media reported Friday.

Pakpour’s appointment came after the interim assignment of Ahmad Vahidi, following the assassination of Hossein Salami by Israeli strikes earlier on Friday.

Israel launched a sweeping military operation against Iran early Friday, with 200 planes targeting its nuclear program and long-range missile capabilities. Senior military officials and nuclear scientists were killed in the attack.