Who Were the Iranian Commanders and Scientists Killed in Israel’s Attack?

Israel’s recent military operation, dubbed Operation Rising Lion, has sent shockwaves across the Middle East and the global stage. In a swift and targeted assault, Israeli forces struck deep within Iranian territory, hitting strategic military locations and nuclear sites. 

The operation, which aimed to cripple Iran’s military leadership and nuclear advancement, has left Tehran in agony not just from the damage to its facilities, but from the loss of some of its most high-profile figures.

It is a major blow to Iran’s military command

Among the most significant losses for Iran is Mohammad Bagheri, the Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces. 

Known for his strategic influence and relatively moderate tone compared to hardline peers, Bagheri had played a pivotal role in shaping Iran’s military doctrines. His recent public speech calling for peace now feels like an eerie prelude to his unexpected demise. 

He has since been replaced by General Abdolrahim Mousavi. Also killed was Hossein Salami, the high-profile Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). A vocal critic of the West, Salami was widely seen as one of Israel’s top adversaries in the region, known for provocative statements and military posturing. 

His death marks the end of an era within the IRGC. Leadership of the Guard has now shifted to Mohammad Pakpour.

Another senior IRGC figure, Gholamali Rashid, who led the elite Khatam-al Anbiya Central Headquarters,  a body responsible for coordinating Iran’s military operations — also died in the assault. 

His contributions date back to the Iran-Iraq war. Iran has since announced that General Ali Shadmani will fill his role.

Equally notable was the death of Amir Ali Hajizadeh, commander of the IRGC’s Aerospace Force. Hajizadeh oversaw Iran’s ballistic missile program and was central to the recent escalations between Iran and Israel. 

He had been a controversial figure, particularly after Iran’s accidental downing of a Ukrainian passenger plane in 2020. Hajizadeh reportedly died in an underground command center that was destroyed in the strikes.

Iran’s nuclear program suffers heavy losses

Beyond the military brass, the Israeli operation took direct aim at Iran’s nuclear program, not just its infrastructure, but its people.

Fereydoon Abbasi, a prominent nuclear scientist and former head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, was among those killed. Abbasi had been deeply involved in the country’s nuclear development for years and had recently made headlines by publicly supporting the development of nuclear weapons.

Joining him in death were several key academic figures in Iran’s nuclear research landscape:

• Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi, head of Azad University in Tehran
  
• Abdulhamid Minouchehr, head of nuclear engineering at Shahid Beheshti University
  
• Ahmad Reza Zolfaghari, professor of nuclear engineering at the same university
  
• Amirhossein Feqhi, another respected professor at Shahid Beheshti
  

These individuals were not only researchers but also mentors to the next generation of Iran’s nuclear scientists. Their deaths represent a sharp and immediate setback to Iran’s nuclear ambitions, both in technical capacity and institutional memory.

The aftermath and global reactions

While Iran mourns its fallen elites, the ripple effects of Operation Rising Lion are still unfolding. 

The strikes have sparked renewed tensions across the region, prompted global condemnation and concern, and left many questioning how Iran will respond.

At the same time, Israel has made clear its intent: to preemptively neutralize perceived threats from Iran’s expanding military and nuclear footprint. Whether this bold move prevents conflict or escalates it remains to be seen.

For now, one thing is certain, the deaths of these key figures mark a defining moment in the volatile relationship between Israel and Iran, with consequences that will likely echo far beyond the borders of either nation.