In a historic military strike, Israel’s Operation Rising Lion has resulted in the deaths of three high-ranking Iranian officials, including the head of the Revolutionary Guards Corps, the air force commander, and a former national security chief. This unprecedented action is expected to create significant turmoil within Iran’s military hierarchy and could severely limit the Islamic Republic’s capacity to retaliate against Israeli attacks.
**Major General Hossein Salami**
As the leader of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Major General Hossein Salami held considerable sway in Iran, overseeing the country’s foremost military organization and reporting directly to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Born in 1960, Salami had been at the helm of the IRGC since 2019, directing a powerful entity instrumental in suppressing dissent domestically and projecting Iran’s influence internationally.
Analysts assert that the IRGC plays a pivotal role in financing and supporting militias throughout the region, leveraging them to target U.S. and allied military forces. The IRGC is also suspected of supplying arms and resources to the Houthis in Yemen, facilitating attacks on international shipping and Israel.
Salami led the IRGC during significant military escalations, including the firing of drones and missiles into Israeli territory last year. Footage from Iranian media in January showed Salami inspecting military facilities that reportedly contributed to these assaults, highlighting his prominent role in Iran’s military operations.
A tragic chapter in his career was marked by the downing of a Ukrainian passenger jet shortly after takeoff from Tehran, resulting in the deaths of all 176 individuals aboard. An IRGC commander received a 13-year prison sentence related to this incident.
CNN security analyst Beth Sanner commented, “Removing Salami is akin to taking out the US chairman of the joint chiefs of staff: You can imagine what Americans would do.”
**Major General Mohammad Bagheri**
Since 2016, Major General Mohammad Bagheri has held the position of chief of staff for Iran’s armed forces, which could mobilize over 500,000 active personnel. The General Staff, as Iran’s most senior military body, is responsible for executing military policy and coordinating armed forces activities. In 2019, Bagheri, along with nine others close to Khamenei, was sanctioned for their roles in oppressing Iranian citizens and promoting terrorism.
In photographs released by Tasnim news outlet, Bagheri was seen engaging with Iranian troops deployed in Syria. In April, he met with Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman Al Saud during a rare visit, where the Saudi official reportedly urged Bagheri to take nuclear negotiations seriously, warning against the potential for war with Israel.
**Ali Shamkhani**
As a longtime advisor to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Ali Shamkhani played a pivotal role in diplomatic negotiations, notably leading Iran’s efforts to restore ties with Saudi Arabia. Iranian state TV confirmed his death following Israel’s recent military actions. Shamkhani was the country’s top national security official for a decade and held various significant positions within the IRGC and the defense ministry.
He gained international prominence for his role in Iran’s diplomacy and was involved in recent negotiations with Saudi officials aimed at easing years of hostilities. However, he was unexpectedly replaced in mid-2023 amid concerns over his perceived ambition. Despite this, he maintained close ties with Khamenei and advised on nuclear negotiations with the U.S., where he cautioned that Iran could cease cooperation with the IAEA under perceived threats.
**Amir Ali Hajizadeh**
The loss of Amir Ali Hajizadeh, commander of the IRGC’s Air Force, marks a significant setback for Iran. Hajizadeh directed the country’s missile program, instrumental in both defensive and offensive military strategies. He was behind Iran’s missile strikes on Israel and an attack on a U.S. base in Iraq.
Israel confirmed that Hajizadeh was killed alongside other senior air force leaders during a strike at an underground command center. This coordinated attack underscores the gravity of the situation for Iran’s military leadership.