Iranian Government Appoints Military Commander As Tehran Governor

In a decision of the cabinet on Sunday, Alireza Fakhari, Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) commander was appointed governor of Tehran province.

Fakhari was suggested by Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi, who is another high-ranking IRGC officer.

Raisi’s move in effect changed the civilian governorship in Tehran into a military governorship.

Alireza Fakhari was the deputy coordinator of Khatam al-Anbiya Construction Headquarter of the IRGC until earlier this year.

Khatam al-Anbiya Construction Headquarter is the IRGC's major engineering arm and one of Iran's largest contractors in industrial and development projects. Khatam al-Anbiya was created during the 1980–88 Iran–Iraq War to help rebuild the country and has diversified over the years into companies dealing with mechanical engineering, energy, mining, and defense.

Alireza Fakhari replaced Mohsen Mansouri who has been appointed executive vice president.

The appointment of a military commander amid the daily protests of capital residents may mean more crackdown on demonstrators. Raisi has filled many civilian posts with IRGC officers.

The policy of hardline supporters of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, backed by IRGC, in pushing many other loyal regime elements to the margins of politics has opened more vistas for Revolutionary Guard officers. The military force already is perhaps the biggest economic player in Iran with hundreds of companies in all sectors.