In a deeply tragic turn of events, Israel carried out a series of targeted attacks inside Iran, resulting in the martyrdom of several of the nation’s most esteemed military leaders and nuclear scientists. The attack, labeled Operation Rising Lion, was an unprecedented violation of international norms and deeply shook Iran’s military and political institutions. Among those martyred were revered figures such as the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the chief of staff of Iran’s armed forces, and prominent nuclear scholars who served as pillars of national strength and scientific progress.
1. Major General Hossein Salami – Commander of the IRGC
As the leader of Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards, Hossein Salami was one of the most influential military figures in the country, answering directly to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Appointed in 2019, he oversaw Iran’s missile programs, regional proxy networks, and internal security operations.
Salami was known for his fiery rhetoric, often threatening severe retaliation against Israel and the U.S. Under his command, the IRGC launched missile and drone attacks on Israel in April and October 2024. He was also in charge when the IRGC mistakenly shot down a Ukrainian passenger plane in 2020, killing 176 people.
His death leaves a major void in Iran’s military leadership, with Mohammad Pakpour swiftly named as his replacement.
2. Major General Mohammad Bagheri – Chief of Staff of Iran’s Armed Forces
Mohammad Bagheri has served as Iran’s top military officer since 2016, coordinating operations between the IRGC and the regular army. A veteran of the Iran-Iraq War, he played a key role in expanding Iran’s missile capabilities and strengthening ties with allies like Russia, Syria, and Hezbollah.
Unlike some hardliners, Bagheri had recently called for restraint, urging peace in a speech at Persepolis just weeks before his death. His removal disrupts Iran’s military chain of command, with Abdolrahim Mousavi, an army general, taking his place.
3. Major General Gholamali Rashid – Head of Iran’s Strategic Military Command
As the leader of the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, Gholamali Rashid was responsible for Iran’s joint military operations, including missile and drone attacks abroad. He openly acknowledged Iran’s control over proxy forces in Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen, calling them a “strategic deterrent” against enemies.
Rashid’s death weakens Iran’s ability to coordinate regional military actions, with Ali Shadmani now stepping into his role.
4. Major General Amir Ali Hajizadeh – IRGC Aerospace Force Commander
Amir Ali Hajizadeh was the mastermind behind Iran’s missile and drone programs. He led the April 2024 missile strike on Israel and the 2020 attack on a U.S. base in Iraq.
According to Israeli intelligence, Hajizadeh was killed while meeting with other IRGC air force commanders in an underground bunker, planning another attack on Israel. His death dealt a severe blow to Iran’s missile capabilities.
5. Ali Shamkhani – Former National Security Chief
A seasoned diplomat and military strategist, Ali Shamkhani was a key player in Iran’s nuclear negotiations and played a crucial role in restoring ties with Saudi Arabia in 2023. He served as secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council for a decade before being abruptly replaced last year.
Shamkhani was seen as a pragmatic figure who balanced hardline policies with diplomatic outreach. His removal from the scene weakens Iran’s ability to navigate international tensions.
6. Fereydoun Abbasi – Nuclear Scientist
Abbasi, a nuclear physicist and former head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization (2011–13), was eliminated in the strikes. Known for his hardline stance on nuclear weaponization, his loss leaves a gap in Tehran’s nuclear leadership.
7. Other Nuclear Scientists Killed in the Strikes
Israel’s strikes also targeted Iran’s nuclear program, killing at least six scientists:
Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi – President of Azad University and a leading physicist.
Abdulhamid Minouchehr – Head of nuclear engineering at Shahid Beheshti University.
Ahmad Reza Zolfaghari & Amirhossein Feqhi – Professors involved in Iran’s nuclear research.
The killing of Iran’s top military and scientific figures marks one of the most significant blows to the country’s security apparatus in decades. While Iran has vowed retaliation, the loss of key commanders and scientists may delay its ability to respond effectively.
Israel’s operation sends a clear message: it will not tolerate Iran’s nuclear progress or its regional aggression. The aftermath of these strikes could reshape the balance of power in the Middle East, with Iran now forced to regroup under new leadership.
For now, the region braces for further escalation as Iran weighs its next move.
