Brig. Gen. Ahmad Vahidi is emerging as one of Iran’s most influential figures as the country reshapes its leadership during war with the U.S. and Israel, according to analysts cited by Newsweek.

Vahidi became head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps after the killing of predecessor Mohammad Pakpour. Analysts say he now dominates key military and political decisions while Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei remains largely absent from public view.

Experts told Newsweek that Vahidi has sidelined more pragmatic Iranian officials and shown little willingness to compromise with Washington over Iran’s nuclear program or the Strait of Hormuz crisis.

Read more at Newsweek.