Ali Shamkhani

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Ali Shamkhani (علی شمخانی) is an Iranian admiral. He was the Iranian Minister of Defense until August 24, 2005, and was replaced by Mostafa Mohammad-Najjar.

Shamkhani is a minority Iranian Arab.

Born in 1955 in Ahvaz, Khuzestan, he earned a B.S. degree in Agriculture from Jondishapur University, followed by Master's degree from Iran's Army Command Headquarters some years later.

He is the editing translator of two volumes in strategic management. He is also author of several papers and articles on the Persian Gulf, regional crises, and political strategic topics.

He is advisor to Iran's head of the Center for Strategic Research in Tehran, and was responsible for drawing up the research system for the national strategic security team at the aforementioned institute.

[edit] Held positions

1978: IRGC commander in Ahvaz
1979 - 1982: IRGC commander of Khuzestan province
1982 - 1989: First deputy commander of the IRGC
1984 - 1989: Chief commander of the ground force
1987 - 1989: Deputy chiefs of staff of the armed forces in charge of intelligence and operations
1988 - 1989: IRGC minister
1988 - 1989: Head of implementation committee for U.N. Security Council Resolution 598
1989 – 1997: Commander of IRGC Navy
1997 - 2005: Iran Minister of Defense