Israeli strikes take out Iranian Supreme leader’s top generals
Among those killed were Armed Forces chief Mohammad Bagheri and Hossein Salami, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps
04:09
Israel launches strikes on Iran, targeting nuclear facilities in Tehran
Israel killed Iran’s top generals in predawn attacks on Friday, paralysing Tehran’s military decision-making in what may prove to be the opening act of a prolonged war.
Among those killed were Armed Forces chief of staff Mohammad Bagheri and Hossein Salami, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Both men were appointed directly by and reported to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and formed the backbone of Iran’s military command.
Ardent Khamenei loyalists, Bagheri and Salami were responsible for Iran’s defence strategy, and have since 2020 become more involved in the management of Iran’s proxy network of allied groups including Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza.
Khamenei swiftly appointed replacements for both after the news of their deaths emerged, but the names of the new IRGC head and the army’s chief of staff reported by state media changed within hours, highlighting the sense of confusion in Tehran.