Iran Bolsters IRGC Control Over Hezbollah Amid Internal Policy Debates
Iran is reportedly increasing its oversight of Hezbollah, sending approximately 100 officers to Lebanon to help reorganize the militant group's military structure. This move, detailed by the Lebanese newspaper Al-Nidaa Al-Watan, aims to rebuild Hezbollah following recent conflict and the death of its former leader, Hassan Nasrallah. The repositioning also signifies a shift in Iran's internal power dynamics, strengthening the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its associated security forces.
New appointments by Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, effective August 10, 2026, place Ahmad Vahidi as commander-in-chief of the IRGC and Hossein Taeb as commander of the Basij forces. Vahidi, with prior experience commanding the Quds Force and serving as defense minister, brings significant military expertise. Taeb's appointment is particularly noteworthy given his past leadership of the IRGC's intelligence organization and his extensive operations abroad, including discussions in Baghdad regarding U.S. military presence.
Western diplomatic sources cited by Al-Nidaa Al-Watan suggest Tehran is experiencing internal divisions regarding its foreign policy strategy. One faction advocates for direct confrontation with the United States and increased pressure on regional allies, while another favors negotiation and flexibility to avoid wider conflict. The debate extends to the extent to which Iran's security institutions should shape its foreign policy.
In Lebanon, the IRGC officers are tasked with retraining Hezbollah fighters, overseeing rearmament, and restructuring the organization into more decentralized units. Taeb has reportedly been involved in discussions concerning Hezbollah's disarmament, with Tehran viewing the group's arsenal as integral to its regional influence. The situation places Hezbollah's acting leader, Naim Qassem, in a difficult position, balancing Tehran's directives with internal Lebanese demands for state control over war and peace decisions.
According to the newspaper, Taeb does not consider Qassem as strong or effective as Nasrallah. The ultimate decision-making power regarding Hezbollah's future role and the balance between Iranian interests and Lebanese state responsibility now appears to rest with the IRGC.
