He served as a military commander during the eight years of
Iran-Iraq war. On 16 February 2013, in response to calls from some Iranian officials to engage in
nuclear negotiations with the
United States, Mehrabi stated: "If we back down they will advance further, therefore we resist. Iran is a great country with abundant holdings; it has a powerful military, intelligent people, decisive leadership, many natural resources and energy. Therefore, if we are present and aware nothing will happen." He also rejected the notion that negotiations would lead to the lifting of sanctions, calling it "a lie". According to Mehrabi, "The goal of sanctions is to pit the people against the authorities, but one must accept that we have managed powerfully and moved past these problems." He was appointed Deputy Head for Intelligence of the General Staff of the
Islamic Republic of Iran Armed Forces in 2016, a position which placed him at the center of Iran’s military intelligence operations. == Death ==