Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei called for the completion of a merger between the General Staff of the Armed Forces and the Khatam al-Anbiya headquarters [1].

The consolidation of these two entities represents a significant shift in the command structure of Iran's military apparatus. By unifying the strategic planning of the General Staff with the operational and engineering capabilities of Khatam al-Anbiya, the leadership aims to streamline defense directives.

Khamenei said the move is necessary to follow the directives of the late Supreme Leader [1]. The Khatam al-Anbiya headquarters has historically functioned as a powerful engineering and construction arm of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, often managing large-scale infrastructure projects and military installations.

Integrating this body directly with the General Staff of the Armed Forces suggests a move toward more centralized control over both conventional and unconventional military assets. This alignment is intended to ensure that the military's operational execution remains strictly tied to the overarching strategic vision established by the state's highest authority.

The call for the merger comes as Tehran continues to refine its internal security and defense frameworks. While the General Staff coordinates the broader military, Khatam al-Anbiya provides the technical and logistical muscle required for strategic implementation.

Khamenei said the completion of this process is a priority to fulfill the long-term instructions left by his predecessor [1]. The transition will likely involve the redistribution of administrative roles, and the synchronization of budgetary oversight between the two organizations.

“Khamenei called for the completion of a merger between the General Staff of the Armed Forces and the Khatam al-Anbiya headquarters.”

The merger of the General Staff and Khatam al-Anbiya suggests a drive toward extreme centralization of Iranian military power. By removing the bureaucratic layers between the supreme strategic command and the primary engineering and operational arm of the IRGC, the Iranian leadership can more rapidly execute domestic and regional objectives without internal friction.