Given the complexity and diversity of its activities, Basij is expected to take a more active role in the influential measures on the path to the Islamic Revolution’s progress, the IRGC commander said at a farewell ceremony in Tehran on Monday, held to acknowledge former Commander of Basij Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Naqdi’s services.
The senior general also called on the new commander of Basij, Brigadier General Gholam Hossein Gheibparvar, to concentrate on strategic and effectual measures.
Major General Jafari then highlighted the increasing enmity toward the Iranian Basij forces, and warned that hard threats are tuning into soft ones, which would make it more difficult to recognize and counter.
Last week, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei appointed Brigadier General Gheibparvar as the new commander of Basij.
The Leader called on the new pick to push for a “more organized presence of people, particularly the youth” in the voluntary mobilization forces, and for Basij’s stronger engagement in scientific, cultural, defensive, and public service arenas.
Ayatollah Khamenei also urged Basij to ramp up efforts to monitor and foil enemy infiltration, and develop a mechanism for greater public unity and closer coordination with other related organizations.
Basij is a paramilitary voluntary force established in 1979 on late founder of the Islamic Republic Imam Khomeini’s order.
The force consists of often young Iranians, who have volunteered, with a strong sense of fidelity to both the Islamic system and religious beliefs.