Israel Claims Assassination of Top Iranian Military Chief Ali Shadmani in Tehran Airstrike
Israeli Army Says Strike Killed Iran’s New Chief of Staff Days After Appointment, Amid Escalating Warfare.
Watan-On Tuesday, the Israeli army claimed responsibility for assassinating Iranian military commander Ali Shadmani, just days after he was appointed to the position.
In a statement, the army said its fighter jets targeted a manned command center in central Tehran overnight, resulting in the killing of Ali Shadmani, whom it described as Iran’s Chief of War Staff and the country’s highest-ranking military commander.
The statement added that Shadmani held dual positions as Chief of Iran’s War Staff and Commander of the Armed Forces Emergency Command, overseeing both the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the regular army.
He had been appointed at the start of the war to lead Iran’s armed forces, replacing Gholam Ali Rashid, who was reportedly killed in Israel’s initial strike of the offensive.
Background on the Offensive:
In the early hours of Friday, Israel—backed by the United States—launched a large-scale attack on Iran, targeting nuclear facilities, missile bases, and key military and scientific leaders. According to Iranian state TV, the assault left 224 people dead and 1,277 injured.
That same evening, Iran began its response, launching ballistic missiles and drones toward Israel. By Monday afternoon, 24 Israelis had reportedly been killed and hundreds injured, according to the Israeli Health Ministry and media.
نظرًا للاستشهاد الشامخ والزاخر بالفخر للفريق غلام علي رشيد على يد الكيان الصهيوني المشؤوم، وبناءً على كفاءته وخبراته القيّمة، أعيّن اللواء علي شادماني قائداً لمقر خاتم الأنبياء (ص) المركزي. pic.twitter.com/cDt1Z9aksT
— الإمام الخامنئي (@ar_khamenei) June 13, 2025
The Israeli military further noted that before replacing Rashid, Shadmani had served as Deputy Commander of the “Khatam al-Anbiya” Emergency Command and Head of Operations at the Iranian Armed Forces General Staff.
They described his assassination as part of a coordinated campaign to dismantle Iran’s military leadership, calling it “another blow to Iran’s armed forces.”
As of 07:00 GMT, Iranian authorities had not issued a statement responding to Israel’s claims.
Shadmani’s Short Tenure:
On Friday, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei appointed Major General Seyed Abdolrahim Mousavi as the new Chief of Staff, replacing Mohammad Bagheri, who was killed in the earlier Israeli strike.
Shadmani was simultaneously appointed as the new commander of the central “Khatam al-Anbiya” HQ, replacing Gholam Ali Rashid, also reportedly killed.
Fifth Day of War:
By Tuesday morning, Tehran continued its retaliatory strikes for the fifth consecutive day, firing missiles into central Israel, which left five people injured, according to Israel’s official broadcasting authority.
