Overview

Ahmad Vahidi is the U.S.-designated minister of the interior of Iran.“Treasury Sanctions Iranian Leaders Responsible for Internet Shutdown and Violent Crackdown on Peaceful Protests,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, October 6, 2022, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy0994. The U.S. Department of the Treasury first designated Vahidi as a Specially Designated National (SDN) on June 16, 2010, for ties to Iran’s nuclear and weapons of mass destruction (WMD) programs. The Treasury Department later amended Vahidi’s designation on October 6, 2022, for his role in ordering or controlling the commission of serious human rights abuses against Iranian citizens or residents.“Treasury Sanctions Iranian Leaders Responsible for Internet Shutdown and Violent Crackdown on Peaceful Protests,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, October 6, 2022, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy0994.

Following the Iranian Revolution in 1979, Vahidi joined the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), an Iranian government agency tasked with defending the regime against internal and external threats. A couple of years later, in 1981, Vahidi was appointed deputy chief of intelligence. During that time, Vahidi simultaneously held the role of commander of the Balaal base, which was reportedly used for planning and directing operations outside of Iran.Muhammad Sahimi, “The IRGC Strategic Brain Trust | Part 1: Ghasem Soleimani and Ahmad Vahidi,” August 1, 2012, https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/tehranbureau/2012/08/the-guards-strategic-brain-trust-part-1-ghasem-soleimani-and-ahmad-vahidi.html.

Vahidi later joined the IRGC-Quds Force (IRGC-QF) in 1983. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei was reportedly impressed by Vahidi’s performance, and appointed Vahidi as commander of the IRGC-QF in 1990. During his tenure with the IRGC-QF, Vahidi was allegedly involved in the bombing of a Jewish cultural center in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on July 18, 1994. The explosion killed 85 people and wounded 250. Vahidi was later connected to the bombings after two Argentine prosecutors accused the Islamic Republic of directing the operation. In November 2007, Interpol placed Vahidi, along with six other people, on the Interpol Red Notice List.Muhammad Sahimi, “The IRGC Strategic Brain Trust | Part 1: Ghasem Soleimani and Ahmad Vahidi,” August 1, 2012, https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/tehranbureau/2012/08/the-guards-strategic-brain-trust-part-1-ghasem-soleimani-and-ahmad-vahidi.html; “INTERPOL General Assembly upholds Executive Committee decision on AMIA Red Notice dispute,” INTERPOL, November 7, 2007, https://www.interpol.int/en/News-and-Events/News/2007/INTERPOL-General-Assembly-upholds-Executive-Committee-decision-on-AMIA-Red-Notice-dispute.

Despite his connection to the bombing, Vahidi held the role of commander of the IRGC-QF until 1997 when he was transferred to the Ministry of Defense. At the ministry, Vahidi was appointed deputy minister for planning. He held that role until 2005 when he was appointed as chief deputy to the defense minister.Muhammad Sahimi, “The IRGC Strategic Brain Trust | Part 1: Ghasem Soleimani and Ahmad Vahidi,” August 1, 2012, https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/tehranbureau/2012/08/the-guards-strategic-brain-trust-part-1-ghasem-soleimani-and-ahmad-vahidi.html.

Beginning in September 2009, Vahidi served as Iran’s minister of defense and armedforces logistics (MODAFL). MODAFL has ultimate authority over Iran’s Aerospace Industries Organization (AIO) and Iran’s Defense Industries Organization (DIO). During his four-year term as defense minister, Vahidi pushed to produce a wide range of conventional weapons, including tanks, fighter planes, missiles, and armored personnel carriers.“Ahmad Vahidi: Islamic Republic of Iran Minister of Interior,” United Against Nuclear Iran, https://www.unitedagainstnucleariran.com/ahmad-vahidi-islamic-republic-of-iran-minister-of-interior; “Fact Sheet: U.S. Treasury Department Targets Iran’s Nuclear and Missile Programs,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, June 16, 2010, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/tg747. Shortly after his appointment, Vahidi was designated as an SDN by the U.S. Department of the Treasury on June 16, 2010. The designation was due to Vahidi’s ties to Iran’s nuclear and WMD programs.“Fact Sheet: U.S. Treasury Department Targets Iran’s Nuclear and Missile Programs,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, June 16, 2010, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/tg747.

Between 2013 and 2016, Vahidi directed the Defense Strategic Research Center, the research arm of the Armed Forces General Staff. In 2014, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei appointed Vahidi as a Foreign Affairs Strategic Council advisory body member. In 2016, he left the Defense Strategic Research Center to direct the Supreme National Defense University.“Ahmad Vahidi: Islamic Republic of Iran Minister of Interior,” United Against Nuclear Iran, https://www.unitedagainstnucleariran.com/ahmad-vahidi-islamic-republic-of-iran-minister-of-interior.

Vahidi was appointed Iran’s minister of the interior in August 2021.“Foreign Ministry condemns appointment of new Iranian interior minister,” Jerusalem Post, August 11, 2021, https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/iran-appoints-new-interior-minister-wanted-by-interpol-676458. As interior minister, Vahidi maintains oversight over all Law Enforcement Forces (LEF) deployed to subdue protests in Iran. The LEF is notorious for using violence against protestors which has resulted in thousands of deaths.“Treasury Sanctions Iranian Leaders Responsible for Internet Shutdown and Violent Crackdown on Peaceful Protests,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, October 6, 2022, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy0994.

The LEF are one component of Iran’s extensive security apparatus, which among others, includes the IRGC and the Basij. The Basij is a paramilitary organization charged with channeling popular support for the Iranian regime.“Designating Iran’s Morality Police and Seven Officials for Human Rights Abuses in Iran,” U.S. Department of State, September 22, 2022, https://www.state.gov/designating-irans-morality-police-and-seven-officials-for-human-rights-abuses-in-iran. In September 2022, the IRGC and the Basij joined in violently suppressing protests that erupted after the September 16 death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish woman who died in custody after being detained by Tehran’s morality police, the Guidance Patrol, earlier in the month. The Guidance Patrol sent Amini to a detention center to undergo re-education when they claimed she was not wearing a hijab properly. She died three days later. In response, protests erupted across the country against Iran’s theocratic rule. On September 22, the IRGC issued a statement of support for Iranian police in combating the protests and accused protesters of sedition. At least 201 protesters were killed since the protests began after confrontations with Iranian security forces, but information has been limited due to disrupted and limited Internet access throughout the country.Arsalan Shahla, “Iran Launches Artillery Against Militants in Northern Iraq,” Bloomberg, September 24, 2022, https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-09-24/iran-launches-artillery-against-militants-in-northern-iraq; “Exclusive: IRGC Commanders’ Families Placed in Tehran ‘Safe House,” Iran Wire, September 26, 2022, https://iranwire.com/en/iran/107958-exclusive-irgc-commanders-families-placed-in-tehran-safe-house; “IRGC will not hesitate to target origin of any anti-Iran operation wherever it may be: General,” Press TV, September 27, 2022, https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2022/09/27/689915/IRGC-will-not-hesitate-target-origin-any-anti-Iran-operation-General; Caitlin McFall, “The Guardian Patrol sent Amini to a detention center to undergo re-education when they claimed she was not wearing a hijab properly. She died three days later.,” Fox News, September 24, 2022, https://www.foxnews.com/world/protestors-clash-revolutionary-guard-northern-iran-torch-irgc-base-reports; “Iran’s Guards Break Their Silence, Warn Protesters,” Iran International, September 22, 2022, https://www.iranintl.com/en/202209229946; Parisa Hafezi, “Iranians keep up protests over Mahsa Amini death despite mounting fatalities,” Reuters, October 12, 2022, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/iranians-keep-up-protests-over-mahsa-amini-death-despite-growing-death-toll-2022-10-12.

Vahidi has publicly warned Iranian women who do not comply with hijab regulations that the government’s security forces will penalize those “breaking rules.” Following the 2022 protests, Vahidi has also explicitly threatened protesters who continue to challenge the regime and has defended the brutal actions of LEF officers in repressing demonstrations.“Treasury Sanctions Iranian Leaders Responsible for Internet Shutdown and Violent Crackdown on Peaceful Protests,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, October 6, 2022, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy0994.

On October 6, 2022, the U.S. Treasury Department amended Vahidi’s designation to include his role in the abuse and violence against Iranian citizens and the violation of the rights of peaceful Iranian protestors.“Treasury Sanctions Iranian Leaders Responsible for Internet Shutdown and Violent Crackdown on Peaceful Protests,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, October 6, 2022, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy0994.