Hossein Salami

Hossein Salami, born on August 1, 1960, is a prominent Iranian military figure and politician, best known for his role as the commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). His military career began during the tumultuous period of the Iran–Iraq War in 1980, when he joined the IRGC as a college student. Over the years, Salami demonstrated exceptional leadership skills, quickly rising through the ranks to become the deputy commander.

On April 21, 2019, Salami was appointed by Iran's supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, to lead the IRGC, succeeding Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari. His tenure was marked by a series of fiery and aggressive speeches that targeted the United States, Israel, and Saudi Arabia, establishing him as a significant voice within the Iranian military establishment.

Salami's leadership came to a tragic end in June 2025, when he was killed by an Israeli airstrike during the ongoing Iran–Israel war. His legacy as a military officer and politician continues to influence the dynamics of Iranian military strategy and regional politics.