Ali Sayad Shirazi

Career

Shirazi was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the artillery and in 1974, he was sent to the United States for further military education. When he returned to Iran he showed opposition to the policies of the Pahlavi government and participated in some street demonstrations. He then joined the opposition movement against the Shah after the 1978 Qom protest. During the Iranian revolution, he served in the 64th Infantry Division in Urmia, in northwestern Iran. He was later awarded the rank of lieutenant general.

During the Iran–Iraq War, Shirazi became one of the most important generals of Iran. In 1981, his role in Kurdistan led him to be appointed him commander of the Iranian Army. In 1982, he led the Iranian Revolutionary Guards and Basij paramilitaries to victory in Operation Undeniable Victory. This was the first time Iran was able to defeat Iraq in a major battle, as Iranian forces broke through Iraq's "impenetrable" defense lines and expelled Iraqi forces from the Dezful-Shush area. This operation is considered by many as the turning point in the war. After the bulk of Iraqi forces in Iranian Kurdistan had retreated, Shirazi led several devastating attacks on KDPI bases. The MEK, which had established a presence there, was also defeated. By the end of June 1983, he had cleared Iranian Kurdistan and prepared to cross the border.

In 1986, he was named member of the Supreme Defense Council. However, three weeks after this appointment Shirazi was relieved of his post as commander of the ground forces.

In July 1988, the People's Mujahedin of Iran (MEK) attempted to topple Khomeini's government by advancing its National Liberation Army in Kermanshah. The IRP's counter offensive, Operation Mersad (led by Shirazi), defeated MEK forces. He also led other successful military operations against Iraq, such as, Operation Zafar 7; and Operation Nasr-4. In 1989, Shirazi was awarded the highest military distinction in the Iranian armed forces, the Fath (Conquest) medal.

When the war concluded, Shirazi was not promoted to major general (unlike his counterparts), but was instead given various staff assignments.

Controversy

Ali Sayyad Shirazi (with Mohsen Rezaee, and Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani) was seen as among "the most hawkish of Iran’s military and civilian leaders, and those who most clearly advocated for continuing the war into Iraq."

In July 1986, Shirazi and Mohsen Rezaee, the commander of the IRGC at the time, clashed "violently" over what policy and military strategy should be adopted in the Iran–Iraq War. When this rivalry became public, the supreme leader met them in his residence on 19 July 1986 and urged them to "seek unity", telling them "You must endeavor, not to think in terms of being members of the Armed Forces or those of the Guards Corps or of the Basij forces. ... We must understand that if there were to be any disputes among you ... not only are we doomed here and now, but we also are guilty before God." Both Shirazi and Rezaie were appointed to the Supreme Defense Council; however, within three weeks, Shirazi was dismissed from his position as commander of the ground forces, while Rezaie maintained his operational command responsibilities.

Assassination

On 10 April 1999, 6:45 local time, Shirazi was assassinated outside his house while on his way to work by an assailant from MEK. His assassin was disguised as a street sweeper. Ali Khamenei issued a message on Shirazi's martyrdom. A MEK spokesman said that Shirazi had been targeted because of "purging and executing military personnel and for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of child soldiers during the Iran–Iraq War, in which he commanded Iran's ground forces."

Legacy

Thousands of people attended his state funeral. Shirazi has had several streets, buildings and military complexes named after him, including a subway station and a highway in Tehran.