Key Figures

Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps since 2019. Killed on June 13, 2025 by Israeli airstrike during Operation Rising Lion — the opening salvo that also killed 30 IRGC generals and 9 nuclear scientists. Had overseen Iran's ballistic missile buildup and proxy network expansion. Replaced by Mohammad Pakpour, who was himself killed 8 months later in Operation Epic Fury.

Chief of Staff of Iran's Armed Forces and senior architect of Iran's military doctrine. Killed June 13, 2025 alongside IRGC Commander Salami in the opening Israeli strikes of Operation Rising Lion. Had served as the top military strategist coordinating between the regular army and the IRGC. Replaced by Abdolrahim Mousavi, who was himself killed in March 2026.

Commander of the IRGC Aerospace Force — Iran's ballistic missile and drone arsenal. The man behind Iran's missile attacks on Israel in April 2024 and the development of the Fattah hypersonic missile. Killed in June 2025 during Operation Rising Lion. His death severely disrupted Iran's ability to coordinate large-scale missile salvos.

Commander of the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters — the IRGC's strategic command center coordinating wartime operations. Killed alongside his son on June 13, 2025 in the opening wave of Operation Rising Lion. His replacement, Ali Shadmani, was appointed immediately but killed just 3 days later on June 16.

Appointed Head of Khatam al-Anbiya HQ on June 13, 2025 after Rashid's death. Killed just 3 days later on June 16 by Israeli airstrike — one of the fastest command turnovers in modern military history. His death illustrated the devastating effectiveness of Israeli intelligence targeting IRGC command nodes in real time.

Leader of the IRGC Quds Force Palestine Corps — the unit responsible for coordinating Iranian support to Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad. A key figure in funneling weapons, funding, and training to Gaza-based groups. Killed June 22, 2025 during Operation Rising Lion. His death dealt a critical blow to Iran's ability to direct proxy operations in Palestine.

Commander of the IRGC Quds Force Weapons Transfer Unit — responsible for smuggling advanced weapons to Hezbollah, Hamas, and Houthis via land, air, and sea routes. Killed June 22, 2025 in Operation Rising Lion alongside Palestine Corps leader Saeed Izadi. His unit was responsible for transferring Fateh-110 missiles to Hezbollah and drone technology to the Houthis.

Iran's Supreme Leader since 1989. Assassinated on February 28, 2026 in an Israeli airstrike on his Pasteur Avenue compound in Tehran during the opening hours of Operation Roaring Lion. CIA intelligence verified his presence at a Saturday morning meeting with senior military cadre. Seven family members killed including daughter Hoda, son-in-law Mesbah Bagheri Kani, grandchildren, and daughter-in-law Zahra Haddad-Adel. Wife Mansoureh died from injuries on March 2. Son Mojtaba named successor as Supreme Leader on March 8 by Assembly of Experts.

Secretary of Iran's Defence Council and former head of the Supreme National Security Council (2013-2023). Age 70. Survived the June 2025 Twelve-Day War with serious injuries, confirmed recovery June 21. Killed on March 1, 2026 alongside four other senior officials during a Supreme Defense Council meeting in Khamenei's office — struck by coordinated US-Israeli airstrikes. A key architect of Iran's 'axis of resistance' strategy.

Chief of Staff of Iran's Armed Forces since June 2025, replacing Mohammad Bagheri who was killed in Operation Rising Lion. Previously served as Army Commander-in-Chief (2017-2025). US-sanctioned since 2023. Held the top military position for only 8 months before being killed alongside Shamkhani, Nasirzadeh, and Pakpour during the Defense Council meeting strike on March 1, 2026. Iranian state television confirmed his death.

Iran's Defence Minister at time of death. Previously served as Iranian Air Force commander (2018-2021). Killed March 1, 2026 in the Defense Council meeting strike alongside Shamkhani, Mousavi, and Pakpour — a single devastating blow that decapitated Iran's entire military and political leadership. The five officials killed in Khamenei's office that day represented the core of Iran's wartime decision-making apparatus.

IRGC Commander-in-Chief since June 2025, replacing Hossein Salami who was killed in Operation Rising Lion. Previously commanded IRGC ground forces for 16 years. Killed March 1, 2026 in the Defense Council meeting strike — making him the second consecutive IRGC Commander-in-Chief to be assassinated in less than a year. His death left the IRGC without a clear command structure.

Head of the military office of Supreme Leader Khamenei — the critical link between Iran's political and military leadership. Responsible for transmitting the Supreme Leader's military orders to the armed forces. Killed February 28, 2026 in the same airstrike that killed Khamenei at the Pasteur Avenue compound. His death severed the chain of command between Iran's civilian and military leadership.

Head of SPND (Organization of Defensive Innovation and Research) — the successor to Iran's AMAD nuclear weapons program. SPND is the entity responsible for weaponization research, warhead design, and nuclear detonation systems. Killed in US-Israeli strikes during Operation Epic Fury in March 2026. His death, combined with the killing of 9 nuclear scientists in June 2025, has set back Iran's nuclear weapons capability by years.

President of Iran (2005-2013). Notorious for denying the Holocaust, calling for Israel's destruction, and accelerating Iran's nuclear program. Though out of office for over a decade, remained a politically influential hardliner. Killed March 1, 2026 in US-Israeli strikes during Operation Epic Fury. His death during the conflict shocked both supporters and opponents, as he was not considered a military target.

Head of intelligence for Iran's emergency command structure established after the June 2025 Twelve-Day War. Tasked with rebuilding Iran's shattered intelligence networks and counter-espionage operations after the devastating Israeli penetration that enabled Operation Rising Lion. Killed in US-Israeli strikes during Operation Epic Fury in March 2026.

Commander of the IRGC Quds Force Lebanon Corps — the unit managing Iran's relationship with Hezbollah and overseeing weapons transfers, training, and financial support to the Lebanese militia. Killed in strikes during Operation Epic Fury in March 2026. Five of his subordinate Quds Force commanders were killed simultaneously in an Israeli Navy strike on a Beirut hotel on March 8, 2026.