In an unprecedented and daring move, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced the killing of two top commanders of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in deep-targeted attacks within Iran. The operation, carried out in western Iran and Qom, is one of the most important Israeli strikes against Iranian targets in recent years.
IDF Killed Weapons Transfer Commander Behnam Shahriyari
The IDF said that Behnam Shahriyari, the Quds Force’s Weapons Transfer Unit commander, was murdered in a precise attack while driving in western Iran. Shahriyari had been of interest to Israel for years, allegedly since 2009, for his involvement in smuggling sophisticated weapons throughout the region.
“Shahriyari was killed over 1,000 kilometers from Israel while on a journey in western Iran,” the IDF said, declaring the attack a “major success” against Iranian-sponsored terror networks.
He was also the head of the IRGC’s secret Unit 190, suspected of shipping advanced weaponry to Hezbollah, Hamas, and Yemeni Houthi rebels. The IDF reported that he led the shipment of hundreds of millions of dollars each year to terrorist groups and directed the transfer of many missiles and rockets employed against Israeli soil during the ongoing conflict.
“Shahriyari was also in charge of transferring hundreds of millions of dollars yearly to different terrorist groups. Moreover, he spearheaded the massive operation of funding and equipping these terrorist groups—an operation that has led to the killings and wounding of numerous Israeli civilians and military personnel,” reads the statement.
Saeed Izadi, Commander of Quds Force’s Palestine Corps, was Also Killed
In another airstrike, Saeed Izadi, a high-ranking IRGC commander and chief of Quds Force’s Palestine Corps, was killed by Israeli forces in the Iranian city of Qom. The IDF referred to him as “one of the architects” of the October 7, 2023, Hamas massacre.
“Izadi was killed in a safe facility located in the center of Iran, as a result of a lengthy intelligence campaign,” the IDF stated. He was an important point man between Tehran and Hamas, whose job it was to deliver monetary aid and coordinate multi-front attacks designed to destabilize Israel.
“Izadi was one of the initiators and main promoters of the Iranian regime’s scheme to annihilate Israel,” the IDF continued.
The targeted killings represent a serious setback to Iran’s regional activity, stopping weapons supply and militant coordination efforts.