Ali Shamkhani, the former Supreme National Security Council Secretary of Iran, was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Friday, according to Iranian state media reports. The strike took place at his home in Tehran, where he was reportedly taken out by an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) airstrike. This marks another significant setback for Iran’s military leadership, as Shamkhani was a long-standing advisor to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Shamkhani was a key figure in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and played a pivotal role in rebuilding Iran’s naval capabilities after the Iran-Iraq War. He was appointed as commander of the Artesh Navy in 1989, where he led efforts to modernize Iran’s naval forces. This was a critical period for Iran, as the U.S. Navy had dealt a significant blow to Iran’s Navy during the 1988 Operation Praying Mantis, in which nearly half of Iran’s naval forces were destroyed.
Despite this setback, Iran focused on naval procurement, building a network of patrol boats, anti-ship missiles, and fast attack craft warships. Shamkhani’s tenure as commander of the Artesh Navy saw a significant strengthening of Iran’s naval capabilities. He also served as minister of defense from 1997 to 2005, where he continued to shape Iran’s military strategy.
Following the death of Qassem Soleimani in 2020, Shamkhani’s influence grew further. The U.S. government, under the Trump administration, sanctioned him for his involvement in ballistic missile strikes. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin at the time stated that the U.S. was targeting senior Iranian officials for their role in these missile attacks.
In a rare interview, Shamkhani commented on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), saying that he supported the decision to withdraw from the agreement. He stated, “Yes. … I’m just following the viewpoints of my nation, the people of Iran.” His comments reflect the broader sentiment within Iran regarding the JCPOA and the U.S. withdrawal.
Analysts suggest that the assassination of Shamkhani could be part of a broader strategy by Israel to undermine Iran’s military and nuclear ambitions. Recent Israeli strikes on key nuclear facilities in Iran have been seen as part of this effort. Some experts argue that such actions may create a strategic opportunity for the U.S. in its nuclear talks with Iran, as the Israeli strikes could weaken Iran’s position and make it more receptive to negotiations.
The elimination of Shamkhani is viewed by some as a strategic move aimed at destabilizing Iran’s regime from within. Iranian analyst Lisa Daftari noted that this precise strike highlights an intent to target not only nuclear ambitions but also the power structure of the regime itself. Shamkhani’s close ties to Khamenei amplify the gravity of this move, creating uncertainty and fear among the political elite in Iran.