TEHRAN: Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a surprise move on Saturday replaced the head of the elite Revolutionary Guards force. State television said that General Yahya Rahim Safavi would be stepping down to become a special military adviser to Khamenei, and would be replaced by fellow Guards Commander Muhammad Ali Jaafari as the new overall head of the Guards.“ Acknowledging General Safavi’s 28 years of honest service in various military fields and 10 years of successful leadership of the Revolutionary Guards, I appoint you top adviser in military affairs,” said a decree from Khamemei.A separate decree read, “General Jaafari, taking into account your valuable experience and your brilliant record in the Revolutionary Guards, I appoint you as head of this revolutionary organisation.”