Israel killed many top military officers Friday in what it termed “Operation Rising Lion” by hitting dozens of targets throughout Iran, including nuclear facilities, military installations, and private homes.
According to IRGC-affiliated news outlet Tasnim, the Israeli strikes also targeted six nuclear scientists and several other prominent individuals connected to Iran’s nuclear programs. There have also been reports of dozens of people dead, including children. Here is what we currently know about the well-known people among the deceased.
As the chief of staff of Iran’s armed forces, which comprise the Iranian army and the Islamic Revolutionary Guards (IRGC), Bagheri was the country’s highest ranking military official. Alongside his brother, Bagheri helped form the IRGC’s intelligence section during the Iran-Iraq conflict after joining the organisation in 1980 at 20.
Compared to other commanders, he was viewed as less challenging. He had previously faced criticism for a speech he gave in front of the historic Persepolis ruins in April, in which he exhorted people to shun conflict and to promote peace.
During the Iran-Iraq War, Salami enlisted in the IRGC in 1980. He rose to the rank of deputy commander in 2009 and commander in 2019. Renowned for his oratory skills, he adopted a tough position against Israel and, as late as last month, declared that Tehran would “open the gates of hell” in the event of an assault by the US or Israel.
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