In a shocking escalation, Israeli strikes have decimated Iran’s military leadership, targeting top figures in the Revolutionary Guards, armed forces, air force, and national security apparatus.
Early reports confirm the deaths of:
- Major General Hossein Salami, Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)
- Major General Mohammad Bagheri, Chief of Staff of Iran’s Armed Forces
- Ali Shamkhani, Veteran National Security Chief and Former Diplomat
- Amir Ali Hajizadeh, Commander of the IRGC Air Force
These losses will have profound repercussions on Iran’s strategic posture and could impede its ability to respond effectively to Israel’s aggression.
Key Personalities Killed in Israel’s Strikes
Hossein Salami – Revolutionary Guards Chief
Salami, born in 1960, has led the IRGC—the most potent military force in Iran—since 2019. He reported directly to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei and spearheaded Iran’s network of proxy militias across the Middle East.
He oversaw drone and missile barrages on Israel in April and October 2024 and was implicated in the tragic downing of a Ukrainian airliner in 2020. Removing him, experts warn, is akin to eliminating the US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Mohammad Bagheri – Chief of Armed Forces Staff
Bagheri had led Iran’s armed forces since 2016, commanding over 500,000 troops. Sanctioned by the US Treasury in 2019 for oppressing internal dissent and exporting terrorism, he was seen as the architect of strategic military policy. He also engaged in rare diplomacy with Saudi Arabia last spring.
Ali Shamkhani – Former National Security TSAR
A close confidant of Khamenei, Shamkhani served as Iran’s top security adviser from 2013 to mid‑2023. He helped broker the Saudi–Iran reconciliation and was active in nuclear negotiations with the US. In April 2025, he warned Iran might expel IAEA inspectors if threatened.
Amir Ali Hajizadeh – IRGC Air Force Commander
Hajizadeh masterminded Iran’s missile and drone campaigns abroad, including those targeting Israel and US bases. According to Israeli sources, he perished in a precise strike at an underground command hub.
What does this mean for Iran?
- Military leadership vacuum: These strikes have wiped out a generation of Iran’s strategic commanders. Rebuilding the IRGC’s command structure will be complex, and morale may dip.
- Strategic paralysis: With senior planners gone, Tehran’s next moves—whether in missile retaliation or diplomatic manoeuvres—will be slowed.
- Regional instability: Allies like Hezbollah, Iraq’s militias and Yemen’s Houthis may act erratically amid the leadership shake‑up.
Analysts warn that Israel’s bold operation, “Operation Rising Lion”, is aimed at decapitating Tehran’s strategic command. Iran now faces the challenge of replacing its top defence figures while managing internal and external tensions.
Israel’s strikes have struck at the very core of Iran’s military and nuclear command, eliminating four senior officials. This may blunt Iran’s capacity for a swift or cohesive response. As Tehran reassesses its next steps, the region braces for potential upheaval.
