US May Target Iran IRGC Chief Ahmad Vahidi If Peace Talks Collapse

Last Updated:April 24, 2026, 21:45 IST

The move signals a sharp escalation in Washington’s posture toward Tehran as the Trump administration increasingly blames hardline Iranian military figures.

The US military is reportedly developing contingency plans to target senior Iranian military leaders it believes are actively obstructing ceasefire negotiations, with IRGC Commander-in-Chief Ahmad Vahidi among those being considered. The move signals a sharp escalation in Washington’s posture toward Tehran as the Donald Trump administration increasingly blames hardline Iranian military figures for stalling efforts to secure a longer-term peace arrangement.

When asked about the report, a US Defense Department official declined to discuss specifics but said all military options remain available, as per CNN. The official told the outlet, “Due to operations security, we do not discuss future or hypothetical movements. The US military continues to provide the President options, and all options remain on the table."

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Who Is Ahmad Vahidi?

Ahmad Vahidi was appointed Commander-in-Chief of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on March 1, 2026, after his predecessor Mohammad Pakpour was killed during the opening US-Israeli strikes on February 28. A founding member of the IRGC and former head of the elite Quds Force between 1988 and 1997, Ahmad Vahidi is widely regarded as one of the most hardline figures within Iran’s security establishment.

Analysts cited in recent assessments say Ahmad Vahidi and his inner circle are not only directing Iran’s military operations but also shaping the country’s negotiating stance-traditionally the domain of civilian leadership. Reports citing intelligence assessments say Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi are unable to make major decisions without IRGC approval.

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Why Washington Is Focused On Ahmad Vahidi

One example of the IRGC’s influence reportedly came on April 17, when Araghchi said publicly that the Strait of Hormuz was open to commercial shipping. Within a day, the IRGC reversed that claim and declared the waterway closed again. Ahmad Vahidi has been wanted by Interpol since 2007 over alleged involvement in the 1994 bombing of a Jewish community centre in Buenos Aires that killed 85 people. Iran has consistently denied the accusation. The US sanctioned him in 2010 over links to Iran’s nuclear and missile programmes.

News world US May Target Iran IRGC Chief Ahmad Vahidi If Peace Talks Collapse

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