Tehran has suffered a major military blow after Israeli fighter jets eliminated one of Iran’s most senior commanders in a direct airstrike on a strategic facility in the capital.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the death of General Ali Shadmani, head of Iran’s emergency wartime command and a key military adviser to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
The strike, which targeted the Hatam al-Anbiya Emergency Command Centre in central Tehran, was based on what the IDF described as “accurate intelligence data” provided by its Intelligence Directorate. The IDF stated that the operation was enabled by an unexpected window of opportunity during the night of Tuesday.
General Shadmani was the highest-ranking operational commander within the Iranian Armed Forces and previously held senior roles in both the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Iranian army. His responsibilities included overseeing Iran’s military operations and approving plans involving the use of national firepower, particularly those directed against Israel.
According to Israeli military sources, Shadmani had risen to the top position following the death of his predecessor, Alaa Ali Rashid, who was killed during the first strike of Operation “Rising Lion”. Prior to his promotion, Shadmani had served as Deputy Commander of the same emergency command centre and as Head of Operations at the General Staff Forum of the Iranian Armed Forces.
The IDF asserts that the elimination of Shadmani significantly disrupts Iran’s military command structure, particularly in terms of its offensive capabilities and strategic planning against Israel.
Widening Escalation
The Tehran strike was part of a broader escalation in regional tensions. Israeli forces also targeted Iranian state television facilities in a separate operation. In response, rockets were launched from Iranian territory, prompting Israel to activate its air defence systems and instruct the civilian population to shelter in place.
The situation has raised international concern. Former US President Donald Trump cut short his attendance at the G7 summit in Canada, returning to Washington for urgent briefings amid the deepening Middle East crisis.
Israeli military officials maintain that the strike against Shadmani was a “decisive blow” to Iran’s warfighting capabilities, warning that further action may be taken if Iranian aggression continues.
