Ali Sayad Shirazi Ali Sayad Shirazi ( 13 June 1944 – 10 April 1999 ) ( ) was chief - of - staff of the Iranian Armed Forces during the eight - year Iran – Iraq war . He was assassinated in 1999 by the Mojahedin - e - Khalq ( MEK ) . Prior to that , he had a central role in suppressing the armed rebellion in Kordestan province in 1979 . Early life . Shirazi was born in Kaboud Vonage , Iran , on 13 June 1944 . His father being a non - commissioned officer in the Army motivated him to join and in 1964 he joined as a cadet . Career . Shirazi was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Artillery and in 1974 , he was sent to the United States for further military education . When he returned to Iran he showed opposition to the policies of the Pahlavi government and participated in some street demonstrations . He then joined the opposition movement against the Shah . During the 1979 revolution , he served in the 64th Infantry Division in Urumiyeh . He was later awarded the rank of lieutenant general of the Iranian armed forces . During the Iran – Iraq War Sayad Shirazi became one of the most important generals of Iran . In 1981 , Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini appointed him commander of the Ground Forces of the Iranian Army . In 1982 , he led the Iranian Pasdaran and Basij soldiers to victory in the Iranian Operation Undeniable Victory , this was the first time Iran was able to defeat Iraq in a major battle , Iran broke through Iraq ' s " impenetrable " defense lines and expelled them from the Dezful - Shush area , this operation is considered by many as the turning point in the war . During Iran ' s attempt to capture Basra with Operation Ramadan Shirazi was said : " We will continue the war until Saddam Hussein is overthrown so that we can pray at Karbala and Jerusalem . " In 1986 , he was named member of the Supreme Defense Council . However , three weeks after this appointment Shirazi was relieved of his post as commander of the ground forces . In 1988 , the People ' s Mujahedin of Iran with help of Saddam Hussein attacked West - Iran and battled Iranian forces for Kermanshah . Iran smashed them with their counter offensive : Operation Mersad , which was led by Shirazi . He also led other successful military operations against Iraq , such as , Operation Zafar 7 ; and Operation Nasr - 4 . In 1989 , Shirazi was awarded the highest military distinction in the Iranian armed forces , the Fath ( Conquest ) medal . Controversy . A clash and disagreement over strategy to be adopted in the Iran - Iraq war emerged between Shirazi and Mohsen Rezaee , commander of the Revolutionary Guards , in July 1986 . When this rivalry became public , Ayatollah Khomeini met them in his residence on 19 July 1986 and urged them to " seek unity " , telling them " You must endeavor , not to think in terms of being members of the Armed Forces or those of the Guards Corps or of the Basij forces . . . . We must understand that if there were to be any disputes among you . . . not only are we doomed here and now , but we also are guilty before God . " Assassination . On 10 April 1999 , 6 : 45 local time , Shirazi was assassinated outside his house while on his way to work . The terrorist group Mujahadeen - e - Khalgh ( MEK ) , claimed responsibility . The MEK claimed the act was revenge for Operation Mersad . Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued a message on Shirazi ' s martyrdom . Iranian ex - President Khatami described him as " " a selfless commander of Islam and honorable son of Iran . " " Legacy . Hundreds of thousands of people attended his official state funeral following his murder at the hands of the Mojahedin - e - Khalq . Shirazi has had several streets , buildings and hotels named after him , including the Sayad Shirazi Hotel , a 5 - star hotel in Mashhad . and the Sayad Shirazi Highway in Tehran .