Draft:Aziz Nasirzadeh

Aziz Nasirzadeh
Name	Aziz Nasirzadeh
Other Names	Pilot Aziz Nasirzadeh
Personal Details
Birth Place	Islamic Republic of Iran
Brith Date	1964/1965 CE (1343 SH)
Death Place	Islamic Republic of Iran
Death Date	28 February 2026 (9 Esfand 1404 SH) [citation needed]
Religion	Islam

Aziz Nasirzadeh, pilot, veteran of the Sacred Defense, Deputy of Intelligence of the Air Force and Deputy of Planning and Budget of IRIAF, Coordinating Deputy of the Air Force of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army, Deputy Commander of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army Air Force, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran, who in 1999 (1378 SH), by order of Supreme Leader Khamenei was appointed to the command of the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force of Iran, and with the formation of the Fourteenth Government in 2024 (1403 SH), Amir Nasirzadeh was appointed as Minister of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics upon the proposal of Masoud Pezeshkian President and the vote of confidence of the Islamic Consultative Assembly.

Biography

Aziz Nasirzadeh was born in 1964/1965 CE (1343 SH) in Saray County, East Azerbaijan Province.

Education

He spent his secondary education period in Tehran. In 1982/1983 CE (1361 SH), he was recruited by the Air Force of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army of Iran, and after graduating from the Air Force Pilot Academy and completing training courses in Iran and Pakistan, he joined the F-14 tactical squadron.

Presence at the Front

Nasirzadeh, from the middle of the 8-year Imposed War, participated in several air missions as an F-14 fighter pilot.

Positions Held

After the 8-year war, until 2009/2010 CE (1388 SH), Nasirzadeh served in positions such as Military Attaché in Italy, Manager of Electronic Warfare of the IRIAF Operations Deputy, Deputy of Intelligence of the Air Force, and Deputy of Planning and Budget of IRIAF, and in 2012/2013 CE (1391 SH), he received the rank of Brigadier General. He continued his professional activity in the structure of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army Air Force and gradually rose to managerial levels.

• Coordinating Deputy of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army Air Force (Head of IRIAF Staff) from 2009/2010 CE (1388 SH) to 2017/2018 CE (1396 SH), a position that played a key role in operational planning, coordination of units, and enhancement of the combat capability of this force;
• Deputy Commander of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army Air Force from 2017/2018 CE (1396 SH) to 2018/2019 CE (1397 SH);
• Command of the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force from 2018/2019 CE (1397 SH) to 2021/2022 CE (1400 SH), during which period, the main focus was on renovating the operational structure, developing maintenance capabilities, updating the air fleet, and increasing the combat readiness of air units; a matter that, given international limitations and regional conditions, had found doubled importance. The experience of years of presence in the specialized body of the Air Force allowed him to make decisions based on precise knowledge of technical capacities and limitations.
• Deputy Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran, from 2021/2022 CE (1400 SH) to 2024/2025 CE (1403 SH), a position that placed him at the macro level of coordination among the armed forces and played an important role in setting defense policies and strategic planning. This responsibility was considered a bridge between his operational experience in the Air Force and the macro defense management of the country.
• With the formation of the Fourteenth Government in 2024/2025 CE (1403 SH), Amir Nasirzadeh was appointed as Minister of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics upon the proposal of Masoud Pezeshkian President and the vote of confidence of the Islamic Consultative Assembly. His presence in this position was a continuation of his role-playing at the highest level of the country's defense policymaking; a place where decisions not only affected the combat capability of the Army and other forces, but also directly impacted the path of development of defense industries and military infrastructure.

Command of the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force

Ayatollah Khamenei appointed Amir Brigadier General Pilot Aziz Nasirzadeh to the command of the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force in an order. The text of the Commander-in-Chief's order is as follows:

In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Amir Brigadier General Pilot Aziz Nasirzadeh

Based on the proposal of the Commander-in-Chief of the Army and considering commitment, competence, and valuable experiences, I appoint you to the position of Commander of the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force. Attention to the training and prudent employment of experienced pilots and equipment with the development of the parts-making movement, updating training accompanied by the transfer of scientific and technical knowledge to the young generation, upgrading power and combat readiness, and spiritual and insight excellence and attention to the livelihood needs of personnel with the approach of building an Air Force commensurate with the system and the Islamic Revolution, in effective and synergistic interaction with the great collection of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army and relevant military and civilian sections is expected. I thank the efforts and valuable services of Amir Brigadier General Hassan Shahsafi during the period of responsibility. I ask God Almighty for the happiness of all.

Sayyid Ali Khamenei 19 August 2018 (28 Mordad 1397 SH).

Honors

The military and professional record of Amir Major General Aziz Nasirzadeh was accompanied by a set of honor medals; medals of "Sports", "Self-Sacrifice", "Excellent", "Master's Degree", "First Period of Officer Academy", "DAFOOS", "Second Period of Officer Academy", "Third Period of Officer Academy", and "Preliminary" were among the honors he received. In addition to these, he also wore the "Fighter Pilot" medal on his chest; a medal that more than any other title, reminded of his connection with the dangerous years of operational flights and war missions.

Martyrdom

In the Israeli attack on Iran 2026 CE, on the morning of Saturday, 9 Esfand 1404 SH (28 February 2026 CE), he was martyred [citation needed].

Funeral Ceremony

The funeral ceremony of the body of the martyr Major General Pilot Aziz Nasirzadeh, the late Minister of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics, was held on the morning of Saturday, 23 Esfand 1404 SH (14 March 2026 CE), in Plot 24 of the Behesht-e Zahra Martyrs' Cemetery, adjacent to the grave of Major General Mohammad Bagheri.

Reactions

President of the Islamic Republic of Iran

The condolence message from Masoud Pezeshkian, President, is as follows:

The cowardly assassination of my dear colleagues Ismail Khatib, Ali Larijani, and Aziz Nasirzadeh, alongside some members of their family and accompanying team, plunged us into mourning. I offer condolences to the great people of Iran for the martyrdom of two cabinet members and the Secretary of the Supreme Council and military commanders and Basij members. I am sure their path will continue more firmly than before.

Ministry of Defense

The Ministry of Defense issued a statement following the martyrdom of the Minister of Defense and the martyr commanders. The text of the message is as follows:

In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Template:Quran

Once again, the vile hand of Satan emerged from the sleeve of the criminal, world-devouring regime of America and the accursed Zionist regime, dragging a group of servants of Islam and the Revolution in the Defense Council into dust and blood and causing them to attain martyrdom. Exalted martyrs who, with a precious burden of jihad, sacrifice, and steadfastness during the Sacred Defense era, repeatedly emerged triumphant from hard and heavy tests and ultimately became guests of their martyr comrades. The shining star of the sky of sacrifice and martyrdom, Lieutenant General Pilot Aziz Nasirzadeh, Minister of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics, along with exalted martyrs Lieutenant General Martyr Seyed Abdolrahim Mousavi, Major General Martyr Guard Mohammad Pakpour, and Admiral Ali Shamkhani ascended to heaven from the session of the Defense Council of our dear homeland. These honorable martyrs did not refrain for a moment from sincere effort and struggle in the path of elevating the defensive authority of dear Iran and until the last breath remained steadfast in their pledge and covenant with the lofty ideals of the Islamic Revolution of the Late Imam and the Leader of the Islamic Ummah, the great martyr Grand Ayatollah Imam Khamenei, and in his company joined the caravan of the Master of Martyrs. The staff of the Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics, who sacrifice their lives for the dear and powerful nation of Iran, by honoring the memory of the exalted martyrs, especially the fourth martyr Minister of Defense, pledge with God and the honorable nation that they will not fall short for a moment in all-out defense of the sacred Islamic System and dear Iran and, God willing, will be a reliable supporter of the honorable and powerful armed forces and also the guardian of the red path and honor-bestowing way of the exalted martyrs.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic

Seyed Abbas Araghchi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic, in a message offered condolences for the martyrdom of a group of victorious commanders and mujahideen of the path of honor and security of dear Iran. The text of the Foreign Minister's message is as follows:

In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Template:Quran

The martyrdom of a group of victorious commanders and mujahideen of the path of honor and security, General Abdolrahim Mousavi, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, Major General Mohammad Pakpour, Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Admiral Ali Shamkhani, Advisor to the Supreme Commander-in-Chief and Secretary of the Defense Council, and Lieutenant General Aziz Nasirzadeh, Minister of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics, is another manifestation of the continuation of the steadfast path of struggle and sacrifice in the path of protecting the Islamic homeland and guarding divine ideals. These great men, with a record full of sincerity, prudence, and sacrifice, stood at the forefront of safeguarding the independence and security of the country and ultimately received the reward of their sincere struggle by attaining the lofty station of martyrdom; a station which the divine promise has made eternal life. I, with utmost pain and sorrow, offer condolences for this great calamity to the honorable families of these exalted martyrs, their precious comrades, and the honorable nation of Iran, and from the Almighty God, I ask for exalted ranks for those dear ones and patience and reward for the survivors.

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps

The statement of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps following the martyrdom of Lieutenant General Aziz Nasirzadeh is as follows:

In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

The honorable Martyrdom of Amir Major General Aziz Nasirzadeh, Minister of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics, following the criminal, terrorist, and savage joint attack by the United States of America and the accursed Zionist regime, revealed another aspect of the continuation of hostility and the strategy of pressure, destabilization, and confrontation with the progress and defensive authority of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

This wise commander and strategic manager of the defense sector, utilizing field experience, specialized knowledge, and a forward-looking perspective, played an effective role in enhancing deterrence capabilities, developing domestic defense industries, strengthening the armed forces support chain, and deepening the country's strategic self-reliance.

His continuous efforts in smartening defense capacities and increasing national resilience against emerging threats are considered a lasting asset for the stable security of Islamic Iran.

Undoubtedly, the martyrdom of this prominent defense figure, although a heavy loss for the large family of the armed forces and the honorable nation of Iran, his pure blood will lead to the consolidation of national cohesion, acceleration in the realization of major defense programs, and deepening of the country's strategic will in the path of safeguarding supreme national interests. Experience has shown that terrorist actions against effective commanders and managers not only do not create a disruption in the determination of the Iranian nation, but rather lead to the reproduction of power, initiative, and dynamism in the country's defense structure.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, while congratulating and offering condolences for this honorable martyrdom to the presence of His Holiness al-Baqiyyat Allah al-A'zam (may Allah hasten his reappearance), the honorable family of the high-ranking martyr, the Cabinet, commanders and members of the armed forces, and the great nation of Iran, emphasizes that the path of enhancing defensive authority and establishing smart deterrence will continue with strength and firmness, and the security and independence of Islamic Iran will be further consolidated relying on domestic capacities and the firm faith of the children of this land.

See also

• Iran
• Masoud Pezeshkian
• Iran–Iraq War
• Sayyid Ali Hosseini Khamenei
• 2026 Israeli attack on Iran
• Islamic Republic of Iran Army

References

• Appointment of Amir Brigadier General Nasirzadeh to the Command of the Air Force of the Army, Website of the Office for Preserving and Publishing the Works of Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei, Publication date: 19 August 2018 (CE), Accessed: 3 March 2026 (CE).

• A look at the military and managerial record of the martyred Minister of Defense, Khabaronline website, Publication date: 3 March 2026 (CE), Accessed: 3 March 2026 (CE).

• Statement of the Ministry of Defense following the martyrdom of the Minister of Defense, Mehr News Agency website, Publication date: 1 March 2026 (CE), Accessed: 3 March 2026 (CE).

• Statement of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps following the martyrdom of Amir Major General Aziz Nasirzadeh, Nournews website, Publication date: 1 March 2026 (CE), Accessed: 3 March 2026 (CE).