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Mohammad Reza ZahediIranian military commander, brigadier general
Date of Birth: 02.11.1960
Country:  Iran |
Content:
- Mohammad Reza Zahedi: A Prominent Iranian General
- Rise to Prominence
- United Nations Sanctions
- Assassination in Damascus
Mohammad Reza Zahedi: A Prominent Iranian General
Early Life and CareerMohammad Reza Zahedi joined the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in 1979. During the Iran-Iraq War, he served as a mid-level officer. From 1983 to 1986, he commanded the 44th "Kamr Beni Hashem" Division, followed by the 14th "Imam Hossein" Division from 1986 to 1991.
Rise to Prominence
Zahedi's career accelerated in the 2000s. He became the commander of the IRGC Ground Forces from 2005 to 2008. Concurrently, he headed the "Tar Allah" base, responsible for the security of Tehran. From 2008 to 2017, he led the Quds Force in Syria and Lebanon.
United Nations Sanctions
In 2008, Zahedi was included in the UN's "blacklist" of 15 Iranian military and political figures suspected of involvement in Tehran's nuclear and missile programs. This sanction restricted his travel outside Iran.
Assassination in Damascus
On April 1, 2024, Israeli airstrikes targeted a consulate building adjacent to the Iranian embassy in Damascus. Mohammad Reza Zahedi was killed in the attack, along with an estimated five to seven others, according to Iran's Ambassador Hossein Akbari. Syrian state media reported "extensive damage" to the consulate building and surrounding structures.
Zahedi's assassination marked the highest-profile killing of an IRGC officer since the U.S. assassination of Qasem Soleimani in January 2020. His death has been widely condemned by Iran and its allies.
