From Ali Larijani to Ali Khameini: Top of Iran’s power structure eliminated in US–Israel strikes

Israel’s military carried out an overnight strike in Tehran on 16 March, killing senior Iranian security official Ali Larijani. Iranian state media confirmed that Brigadier General Gholam Reza Soleimani, head of Iran’s Basij paramilitary forces, was also killed in the attack, reported Associated Press.

Both men reportedly played key roles in the harsh crackdown on protests in January.

Meanwhile, Gulf Arab countries were hit by missile and drone attacks from Iran, targeting regional oil infrastructure, while Israel conducted fresh strikes on Iran and Lebanon. In Iraq, drones struck the US Embassy compound in Baghdad, causing a large fire witnessed by an AP journalist.

The ongoing US–Israeli conflict has claimed at least 1,300 lives in Iran, over 900 in Lebanon, and 12 in Israel, according to officials. The US military reported 13 service members killed and roughly 200 wounded.

List of top Iranian officials killed in the US–Iran airstrikes

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei — Supreme Leader of Iran

The death of Ayatollah Khamenei, who held near-absolute authority over Iran’s religious, political, and military affairs, was announced on 28 February by US President Donald Trump, who called him “one of the most evil people in history.”

Iran later confirmed his death, declaring 40 days of mourning and initiating a transition process. Iranian media also reported that his daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter were killed in the strikes.

Ali Larijani - Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran

Israel's military killed top Iranian security official Ali Larijani in an overnight strike, and Iranian state media confirmed the military also killed Gen. Gholam Reza Soleimani as he met in a combat tent with commanders of the Revolutionary Guard’s all-volunteer Basij force. Both men were key to Iran’s violent crackdown on protests in January.

Iranian army chief Amir Hatami threatened on Wednesday to launch a "decisive and regrettable" retaliation for the killing of security chief Ali Larijani in an Israeli air strike, AFP reported.

"Iran's response to the assassination of the secretary of the Supreme National Security Council will be decisive and regrettable," Hatami said in a statement.

Ali Shamkhani — Senior adviser to the Supreme Leader

Earlier on 2 March, Iran’s judiciary confirmed that Ali Shamkhani, a senior adviser to the Supreme Leader, and General Mohammad Pakpour, who headed the powerful Revolutionary Guards, were among those killed in the strikes.

Sayyid Abdolrahim Mousavi — Chief of Staff of Iran's Armed Forces

Iranian state television reported that the country’s chief of army staff and defence minister were killed in an airstrike that targeted a Defence Council meeting on Sunday, 1 March.

According to the report, Gen. Abdol Rahim Mousavi and Defence Minister Gen. Aziz Nasirzadeh died in the strike, along with the head of Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard and security adviser Ali Shamkhani, whose deaths had already been announced earlier that day.

Mohammad Shirazi — Chief of the Military Bureau of the Supreme Leader

Mohammad Shirazi served as the head of the Military Bureau of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei from 1989 until his death, acting as the key link between Iran’s top military commanders and the Supreme Leader. In this role, he was central to coordinating military leadership and advising on defence matters, making him one of the most influential figures in the country’s security hierarchy.

Saleh Asadi — Head of Intelligence Directorate, Khatam-al Anbiya Central Headquarters

Saleh  Asadi was an Iranian military intelligence officer who served as head of the intelligence department at the Khatam‑al‑Anbiya Central Headquarters, the emergency command structure within Iran’s armed forces general staff. In that role, he oversaw intelligence operations tied to national emergency and defence planning.

He was regarded as a senior figure influencing Iran’s strategic posture toward Israel and the United States. He was killed on 28 February during joint Israeli–US airstrikes that targeted senior Iranian leadership in Tehran.

Hossein Jabal Amelian — Chairman/Head of SPND

Hossein Jabal Amelian served as head of the Organisation for Defensive Innovation and Research (SPND) and was involved in developing advanced defence technologies, including nuclear, biological and chemical research programmes.

Reza Mozaffari-Nia — Former Chairman of SPND

In a post on X, the Israeli Air Force shared, "IAF fighter jets precisely struck military targets across Iran, eliminating 7 senior officials of the Iranian Defense Leadership: Ali Shamkhani, Mohammad Pakpour, Saleh Asadi, Mohammad Shirazi, Aziz Nasirzadeh, Hossein Jabal Amelian, Reza Mozaffari-Nia. The world is a better place without them.

Gholamreza Rezaian

Iranian media reported that Gholamreza Rezaian, who led the national police intelligence organisation, was killed in a series of US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran’s territory. At the time of his death, he was serving as commander of the Islamic Republic of Iran Police Intelligence Organization (SAFA), the unit responsible for domestic police intelligence.

Aziz Nasirzadeh

Aziz Nasirzadeh was serving as Iran’s defence minister at the time of the strikes. He had previously commanded the Iranian Air Force and served as deputy chief of staff of the armed forces.

Nasirzadeh was reportedly involved in overseeing long-range missile production and weapons systems supplied to Iran-backed groups in the region. He also supervised the Organisation of Defensive Innovation and Research (SPND), which is linked to Iran’s sensitive nuclear, biological, and chemical research programmes.

Mohammad Pakpour

Mohammad Pakpour served as the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), assuming leadership in June 2025 after his predecessor was killed in Israeli airstrikes.

He was responsible for strengthening the IRGC’s operational readiness. Earlier, Pakpour led the IRGC Ground Forces and earned a reputation as a skilled field commander during the Iran-Iraq war.

Iranian State television said that armed forces chief of staff Abdolrahim Mousavi was among those killed, along with other senior generals, including defence minister Aziz Nasirzadeh.

In addition, Iran’s judiciary confirmed the deaths of Revolutionary Guards chief General Mohammad Pakpour and senior security adviser Ali Shamkhani in the strikes. Pakpour assumed leadership of the Revolutionary Guards, the ideological branch of Iran’s military, in June, during the 12-day war with Israel, which the United States briefly joined.

(With inputs from agencies)