Vahid Haghanian

Vahid Haghanian is a senior Iranian security and political operative who served as executive deputy of the Office of the Supreme Leader for over three decades. The US Treasury described him as 'the Supreme Leader's right hand.'

Haghanian's relationship with Ali Khamenei dates to 1979, when he served as Khamenei's personal driver. He joined the IRGC in 1984, commanded Tehran security patrols under the Sarallah Corps, and was wounded in the Iran-Iraq War in 1987. He subsequently served as a commander in the IRGC Quds Force for approximately four years, focusing on Eastern Bloc operations.

As Khamenei's chief political fixer, Haghanian relayed the Supreme Leader's directives across military, economic, and political spheres. During the 2009 Green Movement, he served as the formal communication channel between Mir Hossein Mousavi's campaign and Khamenei's office. He was reportedly involved in the detention of Mehdi Karroubi in 2011. In the 2021 presidential election, he openly orchestrated candidate withdrawals to favour Ebrahim Raisi.

Under Raisi's government, Haghanian held a dual role — simultaneously serving in the president's administration at a rank higher than minister while maintaining his position in Khamenei's office. In June 2024, he registered as a presidential candidate following Raisi's death but was disqualified by the Guardian Council.

The United States sanctioned Haghanian on 4 November 2019 alongside eight other members of Khamenei's inner circle, including Mojtaba Khamenei.