The extensive Israeli strikes on targets in Iran on Saturday were not only a blow to the Iranian military and to the image of its regime, both internally and in the world, but they also had considerable economic implications.
The IDF killed Major General Gholam Ali Rashid, who was the commander of Khatam-al Anbiya Construction Headquarters (KAA), the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps' conglomerate of some 800 companies, including in infrastructure.
KAA was founded in 1989 to assist in rebuilding Iran's economy after the Iran-Iraq war and has since become the most dominant player in a long list of economic sectors and powerful enough to decide government policy.
Rashid served as KAA's commander for the past decade and although his replacement will soon be named, he will lack the extensive knowledge and experience of his slain predecessor, which could affect Iran's ability to rehabilitate its economy and to stymy internal strife.
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KAA has been under international sanctions for the past few years. Sanctions imposed on Iran have prevented foreign companies from participating in government projects, leaving the IRGC conglomerate to play a role in a large range of profitable sectors, primarily energy, construction, mining, water, transportation and medical infrastructure.
It also played a critical role in Iranian efforts to circumvent international sanctions, with its industrial production minimizing the need to import goods. KAA was often paid in government-held assets and it employs tens of thousands of people, who may become unemployed and therefore add to internal social instability.
KAA has also played a major role in Iran's nuclear program and in ballistic missile production, making Rashid a target of Israel's attacks.