United States and Israel strikes reportedly killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Ali Shamkhani, Abdol Rahim Mousavi, Aziz Nasirzadeh, and Mohammad Pakpour, marking a major escalation in the region.
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A series of joint strikes by the United States and Israel have reportedly killed several of Iran’s most powerful political and military figures, marking one of the most dramatic escalations in the region in decades. Here’s a look at the senior leaders said to have died:
1. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
Ayatollah Ali Khameneiwho led Iran for 36 years, reshaped the country into a formidable anti-US force and expanded its influence across the Middle East while tightly suppressing domestic dissent. Iranian state media said the 86-year-old was killed on February 28 in air strikes that destroyed his central compound in Tehran.
2. Ali Shamkhani
Ali Shamkhanisecretary of Iran’s Defence Council and a close adviser to Khamenei, was reportedly killed in the strikes, according to an Israeli military spokesperson. The 70-year-old had been overseeing nuclear negotiations with Washington and had previously survived an Israeli strike in 2025 during the 12-day Iran–Israel conflict.
3. Abdol Rahim Mousavi
Abdol Rahim Mousavichief of staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, was also reported killed. A career army officer who joined in 1979, Mousavi had served as commander-in-chief of the Iranian Army before being elevated to the military’s top post in 2025.
4. Aziz Nasirzadeh
Aziz NasirzadehIran’s Minister of Defence and Armed Forces Logistics, was among those killed, according to state media. The Israel Defense Forces said its fighter jets eliminated seven senior figures from Iran’s defence leadership in the operation.
5. Mohammad Pakpour
Mohammad Pakpourcommander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), was reported dead by Israeli broadcaster N12, though Tehran has not officially confirmed his death. Promoted to major general in 2025, Pakpour had recently warned the US and Israel against any “miscalculation,” saying Iran was “more ready than ever.”
The Israel Defense Forces said the strikes eliminated seven senior members of Iran’s defence leadership, underscoring the scale and precision of the operation.
