Iran’s decision to launch ballistic missiles at Israel a week ago underscored the growing influence of Ahmad Vahidi, the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and one of the most powerful figures in Tehran.

Vahidi was responsible for the decision to launch ballistic missiles at Israel for the first time since April, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing Iranian and Arab officials.

Vahidi pushed for a major strike against Israel to halt attacks on Hezbollah in Beirut. More moderate officials favored delaying the strikes, fearing it could jeopardize a potential agreement with the US that might save Iran’s struggling economy.

Vahidi ultimately prevailed, convincing Iran’s Supreme National Security Council to support the attack.

The IRGC commander has emerged as the key figure shaping Iran’s tough negotiating stance with Washington. He is the leading voice among hardliners who insist Tehran should not move forward until its key demands are met, including preserving Iran’s missile stockpiles, securing access to its frozen funds, and making a deal with the US contingent on a “ceasefire” between Israel and Hezbollah.

For months, Vahidi has repeatedly outmaneuvered more publicly prominent officials within Iran’s leadership, frequently overruling Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and President Masoud Pezeshkian, both of whom favored a rapid preliminary agreement with Washington to prevent further economic deterioration. Instead, Vahidi has prioritized rebuilding Iran’s military deterrence and preserving Hezbollah’s position.

While President Donald Trump and international mediators signaled that a preliminary agreement with Tehran could be signed as early as Sunday, Iran rejected that timetable. Officials involved in the talks say the Revolutionary Guards and their allies have been the main obstacle to a deal.

Vahidi is under U.S. sanctions for his role in suppressing the 2022 women’s rights protests in Iran and remains wanted by Interpol in connection with the 1994 bombing of the AMIA Jewish community center in Buenos Aires, which killed 85 people and wounded hundreds.

He has held a variety of positions that gave him deep knowledge of Iran’s defense and security establishment, including defense minister, interior minister, and deputy commander of the Revolutionary Guards. As defense minister in 2009, he played a key role in procurement for Iran’s missile, drone, and nuclear programs, according to the U.S. Treasury Department, which imposed sanctions on him the following year.

(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)