This hard-line Iranian general is a major player in talks with US over war

Iran’s Brig. Gen. Ahmad Vahidi, head of the Revolutionary Guard, has become a central figure in negotiations with the United States over the ongoing conflict, experts say. Vahidi, a hard-line veteran tied to Iran’s support of militant groups and accused of roles in attacks like the 1994 Argentine Jewish center bombing, now leads Iran’s most powerful military force, including ballistic missiles and forces threatening Persian Gulf shipping. Vahidi’s influence has grown since he was appointed Guard commander earlier this year, following the death of his predecessor in the war. His confrontational approach aligns with Iran’s strategy of resisting U.S. demands to surrender enriched uranium, betting on prolonged standoffs and avoiding direct war. The Revolutionary Guard, under his command, has intensified pressure on the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting global oil exports and targeting Gulf Arab infrastructure. Iran’s negotiating stance reflects Vahidi’s belief that the U.S. must be challenged at every turn, as stated by Kenneth Katzman, a senior Iran expert. In January, Vahidi boasted that Iran’s defenses now pose a “high risk” for any enemy military action. His inner circle reportedly controls both Iran’s military response and its negotiation policy, consolidating power amid uncertainty over who leads decision-making in the theocracy. Pakistan recently hosted talks involving an Iranian delegation led by parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, though details remain limited. Vahidi’s prominence underscores Iran’s fragmented power structure, where leaders like Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khameini—reportedly wounded in February’s Israeli strikes—operate from the shadows. His absence from public view since February 8 adds to speculation about his role in shaping Iran’s war and diplomatic strategies.