Major General Amir Hatami was a prominent Iranian military leader who served as the Commander-in-Chief of the Iranian Army (Artesh), Iran’s conventional armed forces separate from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Born in 1966 (some sources cite 1965) in Zanjan or Tehran, Iran, Hatami rose through the ranks over decades, becoming a key figure in Iran’s defense establishment before his reported death on February 28, 2026, amid ongoing US-Israel strikes on Iran.
Early Life and Military Beginnings
Hatami’s military career started remarkably early. At age 14, he joined the Basij volunteer forces as a teenager during the Iran-Iraq War (1980–1988), often referred to in Iran as the “Sacred Defense.” He gained frontline combat experience, including participation in major operations like Operation Mersad, one of the war’s final battles.
After the war, Hatami pursued formal military education, graduating from prestigious institutions:
- Imam Ali Officers’ University (studying defense science management, entering in 1989)
- AJA University of Command and Staff
- Iran’s National Defense University
These elite academies shaped his expertise in strategy, command, and logistics.
Key Career Milestones
Hatami built a distinguished career within the Artesh (regular army), holding roles such as:
- Head of the Army’s international relations office
- Deputy chief of staff in the Armed Forces General Staff
- Deputy commander in Army Intelligence
- Advisor to the Commander-in-Chief in Army Affairs
In a notable shift, he served as Iran’s Minister of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics from 2017 to 2021 under President Hassan Rouhani. This appointment stood out as he was the first defense minister in over two decades with an Artesh (regular army) background rather than from the more ideologically aligned IRGC, signaling efforts to balance military power structures.
During his ministerial tenure, Hatami oversaw advancements in Iran’s military-industrial capabilities, including unveilings of systems like the Khorramshahr ballistic missile, Khordad-15 air defense system, and Bavar-373 surface-to-air defense (an Iranian-developed alternative to the Russian S-300).
Appointment as Army Commander-in-Chief
In June 2025, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei appointed Hatami as Commander-in-Chief of the Iranian Army following a military reshuffle triggered by earlier Israeli strikes that eliminated top generals. He succeeded Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi (promoted to Chief of the General Staff). Hatami’s elevation came at a time of heightened tensions over Iran’s nuclear program, ballistic missiles, and regional proxies.
In his final months, Hatami issued strong public warnings to the US and Israel, stating Iran’s forces were on high alert and prepared to defend the nation “to the last breath.”
Reported Death and Legacy
Unconfirmed reports from Israeli media (e.g., Yediot News) and social media aggregators claim Hatami was killed in Israeli airstrikes on Tehran on February 28, 2026, during joint US-Israel operations targeting military sites. Iranian authorities have not officially confirmed his death as of the latest updates. If verified, it would mark a significant leadership loss for Iran’s conventional military amid escalating conflict.
Hatami’s career highlighted his loyalty to the Islamic Republic, battlefield experience, and focus on modernizing defenses while navigating the complex dynamics between Artesh and IRGC.