By Abiola Olawale
Israel has delivered another blow to Iran’s military leadership, reportedly eliminating a newly appointed top Iranian commander, General Ali Shadmani, in an airstrike on Tehran.
The strike, confirmed by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), targeted Shadmani just days after he assumed his role following the assassination of his predecessor.
Shadmani had assumed leadership of the Khatam-al Anbiya Central Headquarters, Iran’s military emergency command, following the death of Maj. Gen. Gholam Ali Rashid in Israeli strikes on Friday. He held the position for only four days before being taken out in what the IDF described as a precision operation.
The New Diplomat reports that this is part of Israel’s ongoing “Operation Rising Lion,” on Iran. According to the IDF, Shadmani was de facto Iran’s most senior military commander, serving as the “war chief of staff” and a close confidant of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
“He commanded both the Revolutionary Guards and the Iranian Armed Forces. Under his leadership, the Khatam-al Anbiya Central Headquarters was responsible for managing combat operations and approving Iran’s attack plans,” the IDF said in a statement.
The military stated Shadmani’s direct involvement in offensive strategies targeting Israel, adding that his death delivers another significant blow to Iran’s military command structure.
This comes after the escalation of conflict between Israel and Iran.
On June 12, 2025, Israel launched a massive offensive dubbed “Operation Rising Lion,” targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities, ballistic missile sites, and key military figures. Over 200 Israeli fighter jets pounded more than 100 targets, including the Natanz enrichment facility and the army bases in Tehran, Isfahan, and Kermanshah.
Iran retaliated swiftly, firing over 280 ballistic missiles at Israel since Friday, June 13. While Israel’s Iron Dome claimed it intercepted most, some missiles reportedly struck civilian areas.
