IRGC Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters
The Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters is Iran's supreme unified military command and industrial conglomerate, responsible for operational coordination between the IRGC and the regular military (Artesh) while managing the regime's most critical infrastructure projects.
The Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters (KAA) serves as a dual-purpose pillar of the Islamic Republic’s power structure. Functioning as the supreme unified military command, it is the nerve center for operational coordination between the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the regular Iranian Armed Forces (Artesh). Beyond its military role, KAA is a massive industrial and engineering conglomerate controlled by the IRGC, dominating sectors such as oil, gas, and civil engineering. This dual nature allows the IRGC to bypass international sanctions while maintaining a direct grip on the Iranian economy and military readiness.
In July 2026, the headquarters emerged as the primary voice for Iran's maritime brinkmanship in the Strait of Hormuz. Following the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, KAA issued aggressive directives asserting 'absolute sovereignty' over the strategic chokepoint. The command mandated that all commercial vessels and oil tankers adhere to Iranian-designated routes, explicitly threatening 'immediate and decisive' military action against any deviation. This stance is designed to challenge the U.S. presence in the region, with KAA spokespersons characterizing the waterway as 'not a playground' for American forces.
Strategically, KAA operates as the executor of the regime's 'Ring of Fire' strategy, ensuring that both the ideological IRGC and the conventional Artesh align their movements under a single command. During the transition of power to Mojtaba Khamenei, the headquarters has played a critical role in maintaining internal stability and signaling external defiance. In early July 2026, senior KAA officials, including its spokesperson, were observed emerging from fortified bunkers for high-level coordination meetings in Tehran, marking their first public appearances since the conclusion of Operation Roaring Lion in February 2026. This movement suggests a shift toward active operational management as the regime navigates its most significant leadership transition in decades.