Meet the shadowy general actually running Iran — and Trump’s biggest obstacle to peace

In the aftermath of joint U.S. and Israeli strikes that devastated Iran’s leadership and killed dozens of senior officials in the early phase of the conflict, a new power figure has quietly taken control behind the scenes.

Maj. Gen. Ahmad Vahidi, a senior figure within Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, has consolidated authority by surrounding himself with trusted allies and directing both the country’s military strategy and its diplomatic posture, according to analysts.

Since Vahidi, 67, assumed this role, Iran has adopted a more uncompromising stance. Officials declined to participate in scheduled peace discussions with the United States, while Iranian forces intensified actions against vessels navigating the Strait of Hormuz. Vahidi, who is under extensive Western sanctions and has been tied to past attacks in Argentina, is seen as representing the most hardline elements of Iran’s leadership. His rise has pushed aside more moderate voices in Tehran, including those previously involved in negotiations with Washington.

Observers suggest that even if U.S. officials reach an agreement with Iran’s formal delegation, it may carry little weight as long as Vahidi and his faction maintain control.

Vahidi’s background underscores his influence. In the 1990s, he led the elite Quds Force, expanding Iran’s reach across the Middle East before handing leadership to Qasem Soleimani. Both men are often credited with shaping Iran’s network of proxy groups abroad, including Hezbollah. Unlike some recent commanders, Vahidi has also held key political roles, serving as both defense minister and interior minister.

He was named deputy chief of the IRGC by Ali Khamenei late last year. After Khamenei and IRGC chief Mohammad Pakpour were killed in the Feb. 28 airstrikes, Vahidi emerged as the dominant force within the organization.

Questions remain over who truly leads Iran now. Following Khamenei’s death, Vahidi backed Khamenei’s son, Mojtaba Khamenei, as successor, despite reports that the elder Khamenei had reservations about such a transition. Mojtaba has not been seen publicly since being injured in the strikes, fueling speculation about his condition and authority.

Khosro Isfahani of the National Union for Democracy in Iran argued that Mojtaba holds little वास्तविक power, describing him as a symbolic figure while decisions are made elsewhere.

Vahidi’s grip on Iran’s negotiating efforts has also become apparent. He brought Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, a senior security official and IRGC veteran, into the diplomatic team to ensure adherence to hardline directives. According to the Institute for the Study of War, Zolghadr intervened after Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reportedly signaled openness to compromise during early talks. The complaint triggered a recall of negotiators back to Tehran, halting further discussions.

Talks have yet to resume, reinforcing the view that Vahidi’s faction continues to dominate Iran’s decision-making.

Analysts also describe Iran’s approach as a strategic contrast between hardline and more diplomatic messaging. While Vahidi represents the tougher stance, parliamentary speaker Mohammad Ghalibaf has been positioned as a more moderate voice. However, experts note that both men rose through the IRGC and have historically supported similar policies.

Vahidi’s record extends beyond internal politics. He is among several individuals accused of involvement in the 1994 bombing of the AMIA in Buenos Aires, which killed 85 people. Interpol has issued a red notice for his arrest. Argentine investigators have also linked him to the 1992 bombing of the Israeli Embassy in the same city.

In addition to these allegations, Vahidi has faced U.S. sanctions tied to Iran’s missile and nuclear programs. Further penalties were imposed in 2022 over the government’s violent response to protests following the death of Mahsa Amini. The European Union also sanctioned him that year, citing the use of lethal force against demonstrators, an operation that human rights groups say left hundreds dead.

Together, these developments point to a consolidation of power in Tehran under one of its most hardline figures, with significant implications for both regional stability and future diplomacy.