The career of Abdolrahim Mousavi, who served as Chief of the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, culminated in his death in Tehran on 28 February 2026. A career military officer born in Qom, his trajectory through the Iranian defense apparatus led to his appointment as the top military official in June 2025 during the Twelve-Day War.
Military Progression
Mousavi began his service following the 1979 revolution. Between 1999 and 2005, he acted as Chief of the Joint Staff of the Ground Forces. His rise continued with a tenure as Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Army from 2008 to 2016, followed by a brief period as deputy chief of staff of the Armed Forces. In 2017, he reached the rank of major general.
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From August 2017 to June 2025, Mousavi served as Commander-in-Chief of the Army. During this tenure, he maintained a confrontational stance toward the United States and Israel. He characterized the United States as the Great Satan and frequently questioned the military capacity of Israel. In 2024, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei awarded him the Order of Fath, 1st class, citing improvements in national deterrence power.
International Sanctions
The United States Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control placed Mousavi on a sanctions list in March 2023. These measures stemmed from allegations of human rights abuses, specifically citing the use of machine guns against crowds during the 2019–2020 and 2022–2023 protests. The European Union, United Kingdom, and Australia also imposed sanctions against him for similar reasons.
Final Role and Death
In June 2025, Mousavi succeeded Mohammad Bagheri as Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces. His leadership in this role lasted until his death during the 2026 Iran war. Iranian state television confirmed he was killed alongside other officials in the office of the Ayatollah. He is buried at the Fatima Masumeh Shrine.
Fast facts
- Born: 1960, Qom
- Died: 28 February 2026, Tehran
- Citizenship: Iran
- Religion: Islam
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant General
- Award: Order of Fath, 1st class (2024)
- Chief of General Staff Tenure: 2025-2026
Questions readers ask
What was Mousavi's role before becoming Chief of the General Staff?
He served as the Commander-in-Chief of the Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran from 2017 to 2025.
Why was Mousavi sanctioned internationally?
He faced sanctions from the U.S., EU, UK, and Australia for human rights abuses related to the suppression of civilian protests.
