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Ahmad Vahidi, wanted by Interpol and one of the most radical figures in the Revolutionary Guard, is leading Tehran's decisions while negotiations with Washington remain fragile.
As negotiations over the Iran war remain at a critical juncture, one of the Iranian regime's most powerful and controversial figures is taking a key role in determining Tehran's next steps.
Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi, currently commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), took office after his predecessor, Mohammad Pakpour, was killed during the US-Israeli strikes on February 28, the first day of the war.
Vahid has long been considered a hardline figure in Iran's security establishment. He is under US sanctions for his role in suppressing domestic protests in Iran and is wanted by Interpol for suspected involvement in the bombing of a Jewish center in Argentina three decades ago.
Experts say he is even more radical than his predecessor and opposes any compromise with the US.
" He has great influence, but he is part of a system where decisions are made consensually. However, Vahidi certainly has a very strong voice at the table ," said Ali Vaez, director of the Iran project at the International Crisis Group.
According to analysts, Vahid's elevation to the top of the IRGC shows that American and Israeli efforts to weaken the Iranian leadership have not produced a more moderate political or military elite.
Under his leadership, the Revolutionary Guards have intensified pressure on maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important energy corridors. At the same time, Tehran has presented tougher demands to Washington than in previous negotiations.
Danny Citrinowicz, former head of the Iranian branch in Israeli military intelligence, described Vahid as a "very dominant" and "radical" figure, deeply committed to the principles of the Islamic Revolution.
"No deal can be reached without going through him. He is among the people who say that if we don't get what we want and Trump wants the war back, then let him come," he told CNN.
On the other hand, US President Donald Trump declared this week that the US is close to resuming attacks on Iran if Tehran does not accept a deal.
"We're in the final stages with Iran. We'll see what happens," Trump told reporters on Wednesday.
"We will either have a deal, or we will do some not-so-pleasant things," he added, warning that "the clock is ticking."
In his most recent reaction, Vahidi warned that any new attack on Iranian territory would lead to a wide-ranging escalation of the conflict.
" If any further aggression is carried out against Iranian soil, the fire that has so far remained within a limited regional war will explode beyond all borders ," he declared on Platform X, according to Iranian media.
" You will receive devastating blows ," the Iranian commander added. / Adapted from "CNN"
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