New Delhi: Iran suffered another blow on Tuesday when its wartime chief of staff, Ali Shadmani, appointed just days ago, was killed in an Israeli airstrike targeting a command facility in central Tehran. The loss of Shadmani has led to escalation in an already threatening conflict that has drawn the entire Middle East perilously close to an all out war.
Shadmani had been confirmed as commander of IRGCs Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters on June 13, following the death of his predecessor, Gholam Ali Rashid, in the strikes by Israel.
His assassination comes in the wake of Israeli claims of eliminating Iran’s highest-ranking military leaders since the wave of airstrikes began earlier this week.
Strikes aimed at crippling Iran’s military infrastructure
The IDF has stated that the attacks were aimed at crippling Iran’s military infrastructure and nuclear ambitions that resulted in the elimination of high ranking officials such as Shadmani and others.
Shadmani was the closest military advisor to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khanmenei.
In a post made on “X”, the Israeli defence forces has stated, “For the second time in 5 days— the IDF has eliminated Iran’s War-Time Chief of Staff, the regime’s top military commander”.
For the second time in 5 days— the IDF has eliminated Iran’s War-Time Chief of Staff, the regime’s top military commander.
Ali Shadmani, Iran’s senior-most military official and Khamenei’s closest military advisor, was killed in an IAF strike in central Tehran, following precise… pic.twitter.com/Bq6Z49zeCj
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) June 17, 2025
On Sunday, intelligence chief of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Mohammed Kazemi was killed in the latest Israeli aggression.
The Iran-Israel conflict
The Iran-Israel war began on June 13, when Israel attacked Iran in a series of air strikes. This has raised concerns in the region that is already engulfed by the Israel’s military assault on Gaza in October 2023 following Hamas shock attack in Southern Israel.
In retaliation, Iran has launched a massive counter offensive firing over 370 ballistic missiles and drones towards Israeli targets. The Iranian retaliation has killed at least 24 people and wounded hundreds in Israel. Air raid sirens and evacuation advisories have been issued across Tehran as thousands scramble to rush to safety. India’s Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that Indian nationals have been relocated from the capital as a precautionary move.
Israel has attacked Iran in a preemptive strike to prevent it from manufacturing nuclear weapons. Since then, the two countries have been reportedly engaged in a series of confrontation. While Iran has denied seeking nuclear weapons, it says its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes under the Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
Meanwhile, Israel is not a party to the Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty, but is believed to be in the possession of nuclear weapons.
