The dismissal of Hussein Taib, the intelligence chief of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, after 12 years, was certainly a significant development, although it was not a surprise given the leaks of recent years.
A mid-level cleric, Taib had led the Intelligence Agency since its founding in 2009 and handed over the seat on June 23.
While he was appointed as the advisor of the Taib Revolutionary Guards Commander Hussein Salami, senior rank Mohammed Kazemi was appointed in his place.
Mohammed Kazemi was running a different intelligence agency within this complex structure. The agency that Kazemi headed was responsible for observing the Revolutionary Guards.
At least five nuclear physicists have been killed while under the deposed Taib’s administration. Several nuclear facilities were the target of sabotage operations. Although Iran blamed Israel for these attacks, Tel Aviv did not take responsibility for these events. However, he did not refuse either.
Is he retired or dismissed?
Of course, this change was not portrayed as an impeachment by the pro-state media.
On 23 June, on Channel 2 television, Taib’s ‘successes’ as intelligence chief were described. These achievements included arresting foreign nationals, spying on dual citizens, fighting corruption and silencing dissident voices.
His supporters on Twitter were also insistent that Taib handed over the post on the grounds that he had reached the end of his term.
However, this change comes to the fore when Iran encounters a period of losses in the escalating shadow war with Israel.
Three attacks have been made on Iran’s nuclear facilities since 2020, and nuclear physicist Muhsin Fahrizade was assassinated near the capital, Tehran. Colonel Hasan Sayad Hüdayi, an officer of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, was shot dead outside his home.
Taib’s change also came after reports in Israeli media that he was planning to carry out assassination attacks or kidnappings against Israelis in Turkey.
Iran denied this claim.
Taib had a difficult time due to a leaked tape in the country.
The leaked tape in February was made public as Taib’s attempt to close a multibillion-dollar corruption case involving Revolutionary Guard executives.
turbulence on the hill
Mohammad Kazemi, a name behind the scenes, was appointed head of the Intelligence Service.
At a time when Iran appeared to be losing the shadow war with Israel and the Iranian intelligence community was suspected of infiltration, it was time for a change at the very top of that community.
Kazemi, who succeeded Taib, who had been holding onto power for years, was such a behind-the-scenes figure that Iranian media had a hard time finding photos to use in the news.
It was even confused with another Revolutionary Guard with the same surname in some reports.
The domestic intelligence organization, headed by Kazemi, is directly accountable to Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei.
The appointment of the head of the organization, which was established to find the moles, instead of someone from the Intelligence Agency, to this office, makes one think that the leaders in Tehran are of the opinion that the organization has been infiltrated.
It is considered that Kazemi was backed to find these moles.
Taib’s new role as advisor can also be seen as an initial demotion, but one in his pedigree and relationships is not easily dismissed.
Taib is close to the supreme leader Khamenei, especially to Khamenei’s son Muctaba, who is seen as a candidate to replace his father.
Shortly after his dismissal, it was suggested that Taib could be appointed to a seat covering all intelligence agencies on some pro-Revolutionary Guard Telegram channels.
This may be a remote possibility, but someone who has been the intelligence chief of the Revolutionary Guards for such a long time will also make a plan b to protect himself.