Israel says it killed Iran’s top military commander who took charge 4 days ago

| Published June 17, 2025

In a bold and escalating move, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced the targeted killing of Major General Ali Shadmani, Iran’s newly appointed wartime Chief of Staff, just four days after he assumed command. The strike, carried out in central Tehran, marks a dramatic turning point in the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict, underscoring Tel Aviv’s strategy of surgical decapitation strikes aimed at Iran’s top military leadership. Coming on the heels of another major Iranian general’s assassination less than a week ago, Shadmani’s death signals Israel’s intent to dismantle Iran’s wartime command structure before it can fully mobilize in retaliation. Let me know if you’d like a visual timeline, commander profile, or map of the strike location.

🧭 Who was Ali Shadmani?

• Major General Ali Shadmani was a senior IRGC officer and a close military advisor to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei.

• On June 13, following the assassination of his predecessor Maj. Gen. Gholam Ali Rashid, he was appointed head of the Khatam al‑Anbiya Central Headquarters, Iran’s wartime command center overseeing the IRGC and army.

• Before that, he served as Deputy Coordinator at the same HQ and was known for planning strategic operations.

In view of Lt. Gen. Gholamali Rashid’s martyrdom at the hands of the vile Zionist regime, and in light of Major General Ali Shadmani’s meritorious services & valuable experience, I confer the rank of Major Gen. & appoint him Commander of the Khatam al-Anbiya (pbuh) Central HQ. pic.twitter.com/4dTDCKx66P

— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) June 13, 2025

⚔️ The Strike

• On June 17, the Israel Defense Forces carried out an aerial strike in central Tehran, killing Shadmani and describing the move as eliminating Iran’s “most senior wartime military commander”.

• The IDF emphasized his recent appointment—just four days ago—and praised the precision of Israeli intelligence and air operations.

💥 Conflict Context

• This assassination marks the second high-profile Iranian military command strike in just five days, following Rashid’s killing on June 13

• It forms part of Operation Rising Lion, Israel’s campaign targeting Iran’s missile, nuclear, and command capacities.

• Since June 13, Israel has reportedly killed over 20 senior Iranian military leaders, including IRGC head Hossein Salami and key intelligence figures.

• In retaliation, Iran has launched multiple missile and drone strikes on Israeli cities like Tel Aviv and Haifa, marking a fifth straight day of mutual strikes and surging regional tensions.

🔍 Strategic Implications

1. • Severe Disruption of Iran’s Military Command Structure
     The back-to-back assassinations of Iran’s wartime chiefs—first Maj. Gen. Gholam Ali Rashid, then his successor Maj. Gen. Ali Shadmani—within just five days point to a systematic Israeli campaign to paralyze Iran’s strategic leadership. This likely causes confusion, delays in military planning, and a temporary command vacuum.

   • Increased Risk of Full-Scale War
     Iran’s retaliation with waves of missiles and drones signals that the conflict may escalate beyond tit-for-tat strikes. The killing of such a high-ranking commander on Iranian soil dramatically raises the stakes and could provoke a broader regional response from Iran-aligned militias in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Yemen.

   • Strengthening of Israel’s Deterrence Narrative
     The precision and intelligence capabilities required to eliminate top commanders in Tehran solidify Israel’s deterrent posture. It sends a message to adversaries—not just Iran but also Hezbollah and others—that no figure is beyond the IDF’s reach.

   • Internal Pressure on Iranian Leadership
     The rapid turnover and assassination of military heads may trigger internal doubt within the Islamic Republic’s ranks. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei could face increased pressure from both hardliners demanding a more forceful response and officials worried about vulnerabilities within Iran’s defense apparatus.

   • Strain on Diplomatic Channels
     These killings complicate any potential backchannel diplomacy between Iran, Israel, and mediating nations. The U.S., EU, and regional powers now find themselves navigating a much tenser and more fragile geopolitical landscape.

⚔️ Overall Takeway:

The assassination of Major General Ali Shadmani, just four days into his role as Iran’s wartime Chief of Staff, marks a calculated and high-stakes escalation by Israel in its confrontation with the Islamic Republic. By targeting the very core of Iran’s military leadership—twice in under a week—Israel has shifted from defensive posturing to an aggressive decapitation strategy designed to cripple Iran’s warfighting capability before it fully mobilizes. As Tehran reels from the leadership vacuum and scrambles to respond, the broader region teeters on the edge of a wider conflict. Whether this bold move deters Iran or ignites a larger war now hinges on how both nations—and their allies—respond in the critical days ahead.

SOURCES: THE HILL – Israel: Iran’s most senior military commander killed

NBC NEWS – IDF says it killed Iran’s new wartime chief of staff

INDIA TODAY – Israel says it killed Iran’s top military commander who took charge 4 days ago