Arab diplomatic sources say the regime in Tehran is expected to announce major changes to Iran's security apparatus in the near future, according to a report published Thursday in the Persian Gulf.
According to the report, the changes are expected to include the appointment of a new commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, as well as an expansion of the role of senior adviser Ali Larijani, who serves as secretary of the National Security Council and is overseeing the diplomatic contacts. Larijani is expected to receive broader authority to coordinate between diplomatic efforts and military operations. Under this scenario, the current commander of the Revolutionary Guards, Mohammad Pakpour, would be replaced.
Sources who spoke with the Emirati website Aram News linked the anticipated shake-up in Iran's senior command to escalating tensions between Tehran and Washington, despite the opening of a negotiation channel aimed at reaching a diplomatic solution. A new round of talks is scheduled for Friday in the Sultanate of Oman. The sources said the changes are expected to include the appointment of new commanders from the hardline wing of the Revolutionary Guards and the air defense system, in an effort to "strengthen readiness for war" should it erupt following a US and Israeli attack, according to the report.
Observers quoted by Aram News believe the Iranian National Security Council's intention to adopt "special structural decisions" is meant to bolster the capabilities of the regime's military and security institutions, amid the threat posed by the buildup of US forces in the Middle East and the possibility that the talks could fail. According to the observers, the moves are also a response to internal and external pressure against the backdrop of protests inside the country.
The report also said some of the changes would include a reorganization of the Khatam-al Anbiya war headquarters, with a focus on decentralizing command authority. The goal, according to the report, is to ensure continued offensive capability even in the event of an attack on Tehran.
