Timsar Mohammad-Vali Gharani |
|
---|---|
Born |
Seyyed Mohammad-Vali Gharani 1913 Tehran, Iran |
Died | April 23, 1979 Tehran, Iran |
(aged 66)
Cause of death | Assassination |
Resting place | Fatima Masumeh Shrine, Qom |
Alma mater |
Officers' Academy War College |
Criminal penalty | 3 years in prison (1958); 2 years in prison (1963) |
Conviction(s) | Disobeying orders, Attempting to overthrow the throne (1958); Undermining national security (1963) |
Date apprehended
|
1958–1961; 1963–1965 |
Military career | |
Allegiance | Iran |
Service/branch |
Imperial Iranian Army Islamic Republic of Iran Army |
Years of service | 1930–1958; 1979 |
Rank | Major general |
Commands held |
Second Bureau Chief-of-Staff |
Battles/wars |
1953 Iranian coup d'état 1979 Kurdish rebellion |
Other work | Member of the Council of the Islamic Revolution |
Mohammad-Vali Gharani (Persian: محمدولی قرنی) was an Iranian military officer who served as the first Chief-of-Staff of the Iranian Army after Iranian Revolution, from 12 February 1979 to 27 March 1979, when he was forced out.
By August 1953, Gharani was commander of the Rasht Brigade and loyal to the Shah. He met with Ardeshir Zahedi and helped 1953 Iranian coup d'état. Following the coup, he was promoted to vice Chief-of-Staff. In 1957, when SAVAK was established, he reportedly was a candidate to take office as head of the newly established secret service. Gharani however had become increasingly critical of regime due to 'endemic corruption' over the past years, unbeknownst to the authorities. He planned a coup d'état against the regime which was exposed, leading to dishonorable discharge in 1958. He was imprisoned twice in 1958 and 1963.
He was assassinated on 23 April 1979 by Forghan group.