Hossein Salami, the commander-in-chief of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, was killed on June 13, 2025, approximately one month before the current date, according to information available to InfoPulse Today. Salami, born in 1960 in Isfahan, Iran, joined the IRGC during the Iran-Iraq War, which lasted from 1980 to 1988.
He served as deputy commander of the IRGC from 2009 until 2019, when he replaced Mohammad Ali Jafari as commander-in-chief on April 21, 2019. His death removes a central figure in Iran’s military and strategic apparatus, raising questions about the future direction of the IRGC and its operations in the Persian Gulf region.
Hardline Rhetoric and Sanctions
Salami was known for his hardline public statements directed at Israel and the United States. In 2019, he stated that Iran would “set fire to the oil tankers” of any country that attacked it.
Both the United States and the European Union imposed sanctions on Salami in 2019. Under his command, the IRGC expanded its missile and drone programs. This included the 2019 attack on Saudi Aramco facilities.
Salami was also a key figure in implementing the Strait of Hormuz closure, directing IRGC Navy assets in that effort. The IRGC’s missile forces, in particular, have been a focal point of regional tensions, with Iran frequently conducting military exercises and tests to demonstrate its capabilities.
These programs have drawn international scrutiny, particularly from the United States and its allies, who view them as destabilizing factors in an already volatile region.
Strait of Hormuz and Regional Impact
The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, is one of the world’s most strategically vital maritime chokepoints. Approximately one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes through the strait daily, making its security a critical concern for global energy markets and regional stability.
Iran, which shares a coastline along the strait, has long maintained a military presence in the area, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN), which operates alongside the regular Iranian Navy. The IRGC has historically emphasized asymmetrical naval tactics, including the use of fast boats, anti-ship missiles, and mining operations, to counter superior conventional naval forces. Under Salami’s leadership, the IRGC expanded its influence beyond traditional military roles, integrating its missile and drone programs more deeply into Iran’s defense and deterrence strategies.
The IRGC’s actions, including threats to close the Strait of Hormuz, have been framed by Iranian officials as responses to perceived threats, such as sanctions, military exercises, or perceived aggression by regional rivals.
