Academically, Moghadam pursued studies that would later complement his technical responsibilities within the IRGC. He studied foundry industries at Shahid Rajaee Teacher Training University. He earned his associate degree in 1980, shortly after the revolution and during the formative stages of the IRGC. Continuing his education, he completed a bachelor’s degree in the same field in 1995. His technical education was critical in enabling him to understand and later innovate in the complex world of missile technology and military engineering.
Role During the Iran-Iraq War
The Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988) was a defining chapter in modern Iranian history, and for Hassan Tehrani Moghadam, it served as the crucible in which his military career was forged. Initially, he was appointed as the first commander of the IRGC’s artillery. At that time, Iran’s military capabilities were limited, especially in the area of conventional weaponry and artillery support. Recognizing this deficit, Moghadam helped to organize and lead the artillery forces, playing a vital role in Iran’s early defense efforts.
His leadership in the artillery unit was pivotal until he transferred his command to Hassan Shafizadeh and moved to a more strategically significant role — the establishment of the IRGC’s missile unit. The decision to pivot from artillery to missile development marked a turning point both for Moghadam and for Iran’s military strategy. Under his direction, the IRGC began focusing on creating an indigenous missile program, motivated by the necessity to counterbalance Iraq’s superior air force and long-range strike capabilities.