A sweeping US-Israeli air campaign has effectively dismantled the upper echelon of Iran’s military and political leadership, as the conflict now entering its third day draws in global powers and sends shockwaves through international energy and aviation markets.
Among the confirmed dead are Ali Shamkhani, Senior Advisor to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei — who was himself killed in the strikes — along with Mohammed Pakpour, Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC); Amir Nasirzadeh, Minister of Defence; Saleh Asadi, Senior Intelligence Official and Head of Emergency Command Intelligence; Hossein Jabal Amelian, Head of the Organisation of Defensive Innovation and Research (SPND); and Reza Mozaffari-Nia, former Head of Iran’s nuclear programme.
Former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was also killed — reportedly while under house arrest — in a targeted Israeli airstrike on his residence, according to Israeli outlet Ma’ariv and confirmed by Iranian state media.
