Accounts suggest that Bakhtiar earned recognition for his organizational abilities and his capacity to inspire troops in the face of overwhelming odds. His presence in Ilam also placed him at the heart of one of the most difficult battlefronts, where logistical challenges, terrain, and the proximity of Iraqi artillery made defense especially daunting.
Commander of the IRGC Navy
Bakhtiar’s later appointment as commander of the IRGC Navy highlights the trust placed in him by the IRGC leadership. The IRGC Navy played a crucial role in the “Tanker War” phase of the conflict, when both Iran and Iraq targeted each other’s oil shipments and facilities to weaken their economies.
The Persian Gulf became a battleground, not only between Iran and Iraq but also involving foreign powers such as the United States, which intervened to secure oil shipments. The IRGC Navy, under commanders like Bakhtiar, pioneered asymmetric naval warfare, relying on speedboats, mines, and unconventional tactics to challenge larger naval forces.
