In a post on X, the IDF identified the Iranian commander as Ali Shadmani, Irans senior-most military official and a close advisor to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Shadmani was killed in an Israeli Air Force (IAF) strike in central Tehran following “precise intelligence”, the IDF said.
“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 intelligence,” said IDF.
The killing came amid a dramatic escalation in attacks between Israel and Iran, with the two foes exchanging fire for a fifth straight day.
The Israeli military said Tuesday it conducted “several extensive strikes” on military targets in western Iran overnight.
“During the strikes, dozens of surface-to-surface missile storage and launch infrastructure were struck,” a military statement said. “In addition, surface-to-air missile launchers and UAV storage sites were struck in western Iran.”
Footage released by the army appeared to show blasts destroying a surface-to-air launcher holding a battery of missiles.
Despite growing calls for a ceasefire, neither side has shown any sign of scaling back its operations. The Israeli assault — which began last Friday with a series of unprecedented air raids on Iran’s nuclear and military facilities — intensified overnight with a dramatic attack on a state TV building in Tehran.
As the conflict escalated, both Iran and Israel briefly put their missile defence systems on high alert, urging civilians to take cover from incoming attacks.
(With inputs from AFP)
