In a dramatic escalation of tensions in the Middle East, Israel kills several high-ranking Iranian officials during a coordinated series of strikes on Iranian territory early Friday morning. Among the casualties are reported to be top military leaders, key political figures, and nuclear scientists. The Iranian government has confirmed the deaths, including that of Maj. Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, the chief of staff of Iran’s armed forces.
The early-morning operation, which Israeli officials say was carefully targeted, has delivered a severe blow to Iran’s military and nuclear infrastructure. According to Iranian state media, the attack resulted in the deaths of four senior generals, a prominent political strategist close to the Supreme Leader, and two of the country’s leading nuclear physicists. Israel has not publicly disclosed the operational details, but its military spokesperson confirmed the elimination of what it called “strategic threats to regional stability.”
Iran’s chief of staff Mohammad Bagheri has been killed in a precision strike by Israel, say unconfirmed reports.
His building was hit by a missile.
IRGC top brass under fire in Israel’s #OperationRisingLion.
Israel must finish the job, liberate Iranians from the ayatollah regime. pic.twitter.com/t3DR9cNEW0— Abhijit Majumder (@abhijitmajumder) June 13, 2025
Decimating the Chain of Command
The highest-ranking casualty was Maj. Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, Iran’s top military strategist and second only to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in the military hierarchy. As chief of staff of the armed forces, Bagheri was regarded as the architect of Iran’s external military campaigns, including its proxy operations in Syria, Iraq, and Yemen. He was quickly replaced by Maj. Gen. Abdolrahim Mousavi in an effort to project continuity.
Gen. Hossein Salami, the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), also perished in the attack. Known for his hardline stance and strong anti-Israel rhetoric, Salami had been instrumental in advancing Iran’s missile and drone programs. Iranian media confirmed that Gen. Mohammad Pakpour has been appointed as his successor.
Two other prominent military figures were also killed: Gen. Gholamali Rashid, deputy commander of the armed forces, and Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh, the head of the IRGC’s Aerospace Force. Hajizadeh was credited with overseeing Iran’s ballistic missile arsenal and its satellite launch program. His death is expected to have significant operational implications for Iran’s advanced weapons systems.
Political Fallout
Among the political casualties was Ali Shamkhani, a former navy commander and one of Iran’s most influential policymakers. In recent years, Shamkhani had taken a central role in negotiating Iran’s nuclear terms with the United States and European nations. He was known as a pragmatic voice within Iran’s conservative elite and was considered a close adviser to Ayatollah Khamenei. His death removes a key intermediary between Iran and the West, casting doubt on any near-term revival of diplomatic engagement.
Targeting Nuclear Expertise
Two prominent figures in Iran’s scientific community were also killed in the strike. Fereydoun Abbasi, the former head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, and Mohammad Mehdi Tehranji, a theoretical physicist and the president of Islamic Azad University in Tehran, were confirmed dead. Abbasi, who survived an earlier assassination attempt in 2010, had long been viewed by Western intelligence as a central figure in Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
The deaths of these scientists represent a significant blow to Iran’s nuclear development program, particularly in theoretical and applied research related to uranium enrichment and reactor design.
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Swift Response by Tehran
In an emergency meeting on Friday, Ayatollah Khamenei oversaw a rapid restructuring of the armed forces, naming replacements and vowing to retaliate. “The blood of our martyrs will not be spilled in vain,” he declared during a televised address. “Our enemies must know that this aggression will not go unanswered.”
The Supreme Leader’s office released a statement asserting that the country’s defense and nuclear programs would continue “with greater intensity and resolve.” The Iranian parliament has since called for a national day of mourning and accused Israel of committing “an act of war.”
Global Reactions
The international community responded with a mix of concern and calls for restraint. The United Nations Security Council has scheduled an emergency meeting, while leaders from Russia and China condemned the strike and urged both sides to de-escalate. The United States, while not directly involved, reiterated its support for Israel’s right to defend itself, while urging caution to avoid a broader regional conflict.
European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell expressed “deep concern” over the strike, warning that the already-fragile nuclear negotiations could collapse completely.
Looking Ahead
The deaths of such high-ranking individuals mark a pivotal moment in the Iran-Israel conflict. While Israel has not taken direct credit for targeting the specific individuals, the precision and scope of the strike leave little doubt about its intent to dismantle Iran’s military and nuclear leadership.
With Tehran promising retaliation and Israel remaining on high alert, the Middle East now teeters on the brink of a wider confrontation. As new leadership is installed within Iran’s defense and scientific institutions, the region and the world will be closely watching the next moves from both sides.
