Doha: Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued a decree on Saturday appointing Brigadier General Majid Mousavi as the new commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Force. Mousavi succeeds Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, who was killed during an Israeli strike on Iran on Friday.

According to Qatar News Agency, Khamenei highlighted Mousavi’s “valuable experience and expertise” as the main reasons for his appointment. Khamenei expressed confidence in Mousavi’s ability to bolster Iran’s military readiness and improve its capacity to respond swiftly and effectively to various threats.

The Israeli forces launched multiple attacks early Friday targeting areas in the Iranian capital, Tehran. These strikes hit several residential buildings and resulted in the deaths of several military commanders, including Hajizadeh.