In a major escalation of the Israel-Iran conflict, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) lost its top intelligence Chief, Mohammad Kazemi, and Deputy Hassan Mohaqiq following a targeted Israeli airstrike in Tehran on Sunday.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the development, stating that Israel had successfully struck high-ranking Iranian officials.
Mohammad Kazemi Killed in Tehran Strike
The Israeli strike eliminated Brigadier General Mohammad Kazemi, the IRGC’s intelligence chief, along with his deputy, General Hassan Mohaqiq. Netanyahu confirmed their deaths during an interview with Fox News.
“Moments ago, I can tell you we got their chief intelligence officer and his deputy in Tehran,” he said.
Iran’s state-run news agency, IRNA, also confirmed the strike. Citing a statement from the Revolutionary Guards, it said, “Three intelligence generals, Mohammad Kazemi, Hassan Mohaghegh, and Mohsen Bagheri, were assassinated and fell as martyrs.”
Israeli Strikes Target Iranian Military Infrastructure
This airstrike is part of Israel’s broader military campaign dubbed ‘Operation Rising Lion’, which began on Friday. Israeli forces claim to have targeted key elements of Iran’s nuclear and military infrastructure. They describe it as a preemptive measure against Tehran’s perceived existential threat.
In response, Iran launched ‘Operation True Promise III’ late Friday, firing dozens of ballistic missiles at Israeli targets. The exchange has resulted in widespread devastation, leaving hundreds dead and thousands injured across the region.
High-Profile Losses in Iran’s Military Ranks
Just days before the latest strike, other top Iranian military figures were reportedly killed, including the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Mohammad Bagheri, and IRGC head General Hossein Salami. These targeted eliminations signal Israel’s strategic focus on dismantling Iran’s top military leadership.
Israel claims near-complete air dominance over Iranian skies as air raids continue into the third day. Meanwhile, Iran has vowed further retaliation. The Revolutionary Guard, a central pillar of Iran’s military power since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, now faces one of the most serious threats to its command structure in decades.
