Israeli military says it killed Iran’s wartime chief of staff

TEHRAN: Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Tuesday it had killed Major General Ali Shadmani, Iran’s wartime Chief of Staff and the country’s most senior military commander, in a targeted airstrike on central Tehran.

According to the IDF, the strike was carried out based on precise intelligence and marks the second elimination of a top Iranian commander within five days.

General Shadmani was not only Iran’s highest-ranking military official but also served as a close military advisor to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

His death follows the recent killing of Lt. Gen. Gholamali Rashid, after which Khamenei had elevated Shadmani to the rank of Major General and appointed him as the Commander of the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters.

The Israeli military has not disclosed further operational details, but the strike underscores a sharp rise in hostilities between Iran and Israel. Iran has yet to confirm Shadmani’s death officially.

Supreme Leader of Iran, Imam Ali Khamenei, recently said, given Lt. Gen. Gholamali Rashid’s martyrdom at the hands of the vile Zionist regime. In light of Major General Ali Shadmani’s meritorious services and valuable experience, he conferred the rank of Major General and appointed him Commander of the Khatam al-Anbiya (pbuh) Central HQ.