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Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi
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Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi

Major General commanding Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central HQ; named Armed Forces chief of staff in August 2026.

As of 10 August, Ali Abdollahi is major general commanding irgc's khatam al-anbiya central hq; third commander in three months, ofac-sanctioned 2019..

Last refreshed: 11 August 2026 · Appears in 2 active topics

Key Question

Why is Iran's third Khatam al-Anbiya commander warning of miscalculation during Khamenei's funeral?

Timeline for Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi

#168 9 Aug

Became Armed Forces chief of staff

Iran Conflict 2026: Khamenei signs six decrees in a single day
#144 3 Jul
#7 4 May

Warned that any US forces approaching Hormuz will be attacked

European Energy Markets: Project Freedom moves TTF only 1.48%
View full timeline →

Background

Ali Abdollahi is major general commanding IRGC's Khatam al-Anbiya central hq; third commander in three months, OFAC-sanctioned 2019. Major General Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi commands the IRGC's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, Iran's joint wartime command. On 1-3 July 2026 he warned the United States and Israel against "any miscalculation" as funeral processions for assassinated Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei began in Tehran, days after Israeli defence minister Israel Katz said Khamenei's son and successor, Mojtaba Khamenei, was "marked for death". Born in 1959, Abdollahi spent nine years (2016-2025) as Deputy for Coordination of the Armed Forces General Staff under chief of staff Mohammad Bagheri, who was killed in Israeli strikes on 13 June 2025. He was named Khatam al-Anbiya commander in

September 2025, the third officer to hold the post within three months: predecessors Gholamali Rashid and Ali Shadmani were both killed by Israeli strikes days apart that same June. Abdollahi has been under US Treasury (OFAC) sanctions since 2019. His confirmed identity resolves a standing gap in Lowdown's coverage: the "Abdollahi" quoted by Fars in May 2026 warning that US forces escorting shipping under Project Freedom "will be attacked" is this same officer, not an unverified spokesman. His July warnings now frame Iran's military posture during the most sensitive transition of the war, the handover of supreme authority following Khamenei's death.

Common Questions
Who is Abdollahi and what did he say about Hormuz on 4 May 2026?
Major General Ali Abdollahi, commander of the IRGC's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, warned via Fars News Agency on 4 May 2026 that US forces approaching the Strait of Hormuz would be attacked. His identity was confirmed by the IRGC's 4 September 2025 appointment announcement.Source: Fars News Agency
Did Iran fire missiles at a US warship near Hormuz in May 2026?
Fars News Agency, citing Abdollahi, reported that two missiles were fired at a US warship on or around 4 May 2026. The US denied this. No independent confirmation of the missile claim has been published by wire services.Source: Fars News Agency
Who is Ali Abdollahi, Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya commander?
Major General Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi, Born 1959, appointed commander of the IRGC's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters in September 2025 after two predecessors were killed.Source: IranWire
Why has Iran had three Khatam al-Anbiya commanders since June 2025?
Gholamali Rashid and Ali Shadmani were both killed in Israeli strikes days apart in June 2025; Abdollahi was appointed in September 2025 as their successor.Source: Times of Israel
What did Ali Abdollahi say before Khamenei's funeral?
He warned the US and Israel against any miscalculation during the funeral processions for Ali Khamenei, running 4-9 July 2026.Source: PressTV
Was Ali Abdollahi sanctioned by the United States?
Yes, the US Treasury's OFAC designated him in 2019 while he served as a senior IRGC commander.Source: Shabtabnews
who is Iran's armed forces chief of staff?
Major General Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi, named chief of staff of Iran's Armed Forces by decree on 10 August 2026, having commanded the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters.Source: IRNA
when was Ali Abdollahi sanctioned?
The US Treasury designated him in January 2020. OFAC records him as Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi, Born 1959.Source: OFAC
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