Gholam Ali Rashid
Gholam Ali Rashid | |
|---|---|
Rashid in 2016 | |
| Born | 1953 Dezful, Imperial State of Iran |
| Died | 13 June 2025 (aged 71–72) Tehran, Iran |
| Cause of death | Assassination by airstrike |
| Allegiance | Iran |
| Branch | IRGC |
| Years of service | 1980–2025 |
| Rank | Major General |
| Commands | Khatam-al Anbiya Central HQ |
| Conflicts | Iran–Iraq War Iran–Israel war X |
Major general Gholam Ali Rashid (Persian: غلامعلی رشید; 1953 – 13 June 2025) was an Iranian military officer in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) who served as the commander of Khatam-al Anbiya Central Headquarters. He was killed by Israeli strikes on Iran on 13 June 2025.[1]
Early life and education
Gholam Ali Rashid (full name: Gholam Ali Rashid Ali Noor)[2] was born in 1953 in Dezful,[3] in the Central District of Dezful County, Khuzestan province. He was born into a traditional religious family. He attended primary and secondary school in Dezful, and then went to Ahvaz to complete his public service. He did his military service in the 92nd Armored Division of Ahvaz.[4]
Rashid had a Bachelor's degree and master’s degree in Political Geography from the University of Tehran, and a PhD in Political Geography from Tarbiat Modares University.
Career
Rashid served as deputy chief of staff of the Islamic Republic of Iran Armed Forces,[5][6] and was among the decision-making commanders in the Iran–Iraq War.[7] Along with Mohammad Ali Ja'fari, Ali Fadavi, Qasem Soleimani, and Mohammad Bagheri, Rashid was also a member of the command network in the regular Iranian military.[8][9]
He then served as the commander of Khatam-al Anbiya Central Headquarters from 2016 until his death.
Death
Rashid was killed during the Iran–Israel war on 13 June 2025.[1] His successor Ali Shadmani was killed four days later.[10][11][12] His funeral held on 28 June was set to take place along with those of all the top commanders killed during the Iran–Israel war.[13]
Sanctions
In November 2019, Rashid was added to the U.S. Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) List. Under Executive Order 13876 (IRAN-EO13876), targeting individuals appointed by or acting on behalf of Iran's Supreme Leader.[14]
In April 2024, Canada imposed sanctions in coordination with its G7 partners, including the United States and the United Kingdom, in response to Iran's regional activities and in support of calls for de-escalation. Under its Special Economic Measures Act, Canada targeted Rashid for his leadership role in the Khatam-al Anbiya Headquarters and his involvement in Iran's broader military operations. In addition, Rashid was said to be sanctioned for his role in orchestrating Iran's first direct missile and drone attack on Israel, carried out in coordination with Houthi forces in Yemen, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and militias in Iraq. Mélanie Joly, Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs, said:
Today's measures deliver a clear message: Canada and its allies are prepared and will not hesitate to take action against the Iranian regime as it seeks to destabilize regional peace and security. Whether directly or through its proxies, Iran's behaviour is deeply concerning and risks further escalating regional tensions and violence. This must be avoided. Canada stands by Israel and its people and reaffirms its commitment to their security.[15][16][17]
Controversy
Rashid openly acknowledged Iran's deep strategic ties with several non-state armed groups across the region. He described Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Gaza, the Popular Mobilization Units in Iraq, and the Houthis in Yemen not merely as allies but as direct extensions of Iran's military forces. He further stated that the U.S. and Israel were upset by this structure because it effectively established "six armies outside our borders that work for Iran".[18][19]
In the news
Rashid declared in 2011 that Iran may attack Israel military equipment and nuclear sites in a war.[20]
In a conference in Tehran in 2014, he announced that Iranian commanders were in Iraq, Syria, Palestine, and Lebanon to give military advice.[6]
See also
- List of Iranian two-star generals since 1979
- List of Iranian commanders in the Iran–Iraq War
- Davoud Sheikhian
- Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps
- IRGC Aerospace Force
- Iran–Israel proxy conflict
- Iran-Israel War
References
- ^ a b Regalado, Francesca; Ward, Euan (13 June 2025). "Who Are the Iranian Generals Killed by Israel? Here's What We Know". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 14 June 2025.
- ^ غلامعلی رشید علینور (Gholam Ali Rashid)
- ^ PROFILE: GHOLAMALI RASHID, IRAN'S FORMER WAR COMMANDER, Iran Wire, 13 June 2025
- ^ Names of army and corps commanders in the Jerusalem operation up to the rank of brigade, Navide Shahed
- ^ "Iranian commander martyred by ISIS terrorists in Syria". AhlulBayt News Agency. 9 October 2015. Retrieved 1 May 2016.
- ^ a b "Top Commander: Iran Providing Military Advice to Iraq, Palestine, Lebanon". Fars News Agency. 27 September 2014. Archived from the original on 10 December 2018. Retrieved 1 May 2016.
- ^ Crazydead (3 February 2011). "The Islamic Republic's 13 Generals". Iran Briefing. Retrieved 1 May 2016.
- ^ Fulton, Will. "IRGC Command Network: Formal Structures and Informal Influence" (PDF). AEI Critical Threats Project. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 April 2016. Retrieved 12 April 2016.
- ^ Fulton, Will (23 July 2013). "Rouhani and the Revolutionary Guards". The Iran Primer. Archived from the original on 27 July 2013. Retrieved 1 May 2016.
- ^ "Iran's chief of staff killed in Israeli airstrike". Apa.az. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
- ^ "Iran's chief of staff killed in Israeli airstrike". news.az. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
- ^ i24NEWS (17 June 2025). "IDF kills Ali Shadmani, newly appointed Iranian Chief of Staff". i24NEWS. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Iran to hold funerals for top commanders, scientists killed in Israel strikes: State media". Al Arabiya English. 25 June 2025. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
- ^ "Iran-related Designations; Venezuela-related Designations Removals". Office of Foreign Assets Control. 4 November 2019.
- ^ "Canada imposes further sanctions against Iran". Canada.ca. Global Affairs Canada. 25 April 2024.
- ^ "Canada, U.S., U.K. lay additional sanctions on Iran over attack on Israel". Global News. 25 April 2024.
- ^ "Soldiers and scientists the faces of the dead after Israel's strike on Iran". ABC News. 13 June 2025.
- ^ "IRGC General Gholamali Rashid: Hizbullah In Lebanon, Hamas And PIJ In Palestine, PMU In Iraq, And The Houthis In Yemen Are All Armies Ready To Defend The Iranian Regime". MEMRI. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
- ^ "We have established six armies outside our borders: Iranian military commander". Al Arabiya English. 27 September 2021. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
- ^ "The Proud of Islamic Ummah and Oppressed People Islamic Iran to hurl israel into dustbin of history". Islamic Invitation Turkey. 21 November 2011. Archived from the original on 8 January 2017. Retrieved 1 May 2016.