Israel’s targeted attacks on Iran’s nuclear and missile infrastructure early Friday have killed at least 20 senior Iranian commanders, delivering a significant blow to Tehran’s governing theocracy. The Israel Defense Forces’ (IDF) strikes took out Gen. Hossein Salami, the leader of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), who had a history of threatening the U.S. and Israel. Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, the chief of staff of the Iranian armed forces, was also killed, further escalating the gravity of the strikes and their implications for Iran’s military structure.
Ali Hajizadeh, the head of the IRGC Aerospace Force, and Lt. Gen. Gholamali Rashid, the head of the IRGC’s Khatam-al Anbiya Central Headquarters, were also among the casualties. These high-profile deaths are part of a broader military operation, Operation Rising Lion, launched by the IDF. The operation followed months of failed nuclear negotiations between the Trump administration and Tehran, with Israel asserting that the strikes were aimed at targeting Iran’s nuclear and missile infrastructure.
Salami, who had been the commander-in-chief of the IRGC since his appointment by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in 2019, was a key figure in Iran’s military structure. His appointment came shortly after President Donald Trump withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal and designated the IRGC as a terrorist organization. Salami was also known for his aggressive rhetoric towards both Israel and the United States, with threats of destruction against Israel dating back to 2016.
The IRGC, a powerful military force within Iran, was created after the 1979 Islamic Revolution and has since evolved from a domestic security force into a transnational entity aiding Tehran’s allies in the Middle East. It operates parallel to the country’s existing armed forces and controls Iran’s ballistic missile arsenal, which has been used in attacks against Israel. Under Salami’s leadership, the IRGC expanded its influence in Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq, becoming a central pillar in Iran’s deterrence strategy.
Bagheri, who served as the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces since 2016, was instrumental in shaping Iran’s military doctrine and modernizing its missile and air defense systems. He represented Iran in military coordination with allies like Russia and Syria, particularly during joint operations in the Syrian Civil War. His death, along with that of several other high-ranking officials, reflects a strategic effort by Israel to cripple Iran’s military leadership and reduce its capacity for strategic retaliation.
Hajizadeh oversaw Iran’s Aerospace Force, responsible for its ballistic missile arsenal, drone programs, and space-based military initiatives. He led the branch since 2009 and was involved in repeated attacks against Israeli civilians. His death, along with several others, has significantly weakened Iran’s military capabilities and its capacity to launch retaliatory strikes against Israel.
Rashid, leading the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, was a key decision-maker during the Iran–Iraq War and became part of Iran’s senior military leadership network. He was sanctioned by the Treasury Department in 2019. Several nuclear scientists were also killed in the strikes, marking a significant blow to Iran’s nuclear development program.
The Israeli Defense Forces stated that the strikes were aimed at disrupting Iran’s nuclear and missile infrastructure, a central component of Tehran’s deterrence strategy against Israeli and American pressures. The attacks have raised concerns about the potential for further escalation in the region, especially with the involvement of multiple international actors, and have drawn calls for de-escalation amid ongoing tensions.
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