Israel Strikes Again: Who Was Iran's Top Commander Ali Shadmani Killed In Airstrike?

Israel killed Iran's top commander Ali Shadmani in Tehran airstrike, June 2025. Who was the IRGC leader close to Khamenei?

Israel Claims Airstrike Kills Top Iranian Commander Ali Shadmani in Tehran (x/@DrEliDavid)

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported on Tuesday that it had killed Major General Ali Shadmani, Iran's recently appointed senior military commander, in a nighttime airstrike in Tehran, a sharp turn in the Israel-Iran war.

Shadmani, commander of the Khatam-al Anbiya Central Headquarters under the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), was promoted just days ago on June 13 by Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei after his predecessor, Lieutenant General Gholamali Rashid, was assassinated in previous Israeli attacks. Khamenei named Shadmani with "meritorious services & valuable experience" in an X post, promoting him to Major General and as commander of the emergency command center.

The IDF had called Shadmani Iran's "war chief of staff" and the most senior military official closest to Khamenei, claiming that he oversaw both the IRGC and Iranian Armed Forces. The military asserted that with Shadmani in charge, the Khatam-al Anbiya Central Headquarters oversaw combat efforts and sanctioned Iran's offensive plans against Israel. "In all his positions, he had a direct impact on Iran's offensive plans against the State of Israel," the IDF had 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… pic.twitter.com/Bq6Z49zeCj

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) June 17, 2025

The strike followed Israel's "Operation Rising Lion," launched on June 13, which targeted over 100 Iranian nuclear and military sites, killing several top commanders and scientists. The assassination of Shadmani, described by Israeli officials as a "major disruption to Iran’s command structure," comes amid heightened tensions and retaliatory missile strikes between the two nations.

The world leaders attending the G7 Summit 2025 signed a joint statement on Tuesday, supporting Israel's "right to defend itself" in the war. "We, G7 leaders, reaffirm our dedication to peace and stability in the Middle East," the statement, released by Canada, stated.

Iran officially confirmed no death for Shadmani, though state media indicated intensified Israeli strikes in Tehran. The war, which has had Iran retaliate with "Operation True Promise III," continues to instill fear of an expanded regional war.

Who Was Ali Shadmani?

As reported by the IDF, Shadmani was Iran's top military leader closest to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, commanding the IRGC and Iranian Armed Forces. Shadmani commanded the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, Iran's crisis command center for handling combat operations and approving attack plans against Israel. The IDF claimed that Shadmani played a "major influence" in Iran's offensive plans against Israel in his different capacities.

Shadmani was made commander on June 13, 2025, after the assassination of his predecessor, Lieutenant General Gholamali Rashid, in Israel's "Operation Rising Lion," which commenced with airstrikes on more than 100 Iranian nuclear and military targets. Shadmani had previously been the Deputy Commander of the Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters and Head of the Operations Directorate of Iran's General Staff.

The IDF stated that the airstrike was executed after receiving "precise intelligence" and seizing a "sudden opportunity" to target a staffed command center in Tehran. Shadmani's reported death follows a series of high-profile Iranian military commanders killed by Israel since the offensive began last Friday.

The strike coincided with a G7 Summit 2025 statement issued on Tuesday, affirming Israel’s "right to defend itself" amid the conflict. Iran, which launched "Operation True Promise III" in retaliation, has not commented on Shadmani's status, but state media reported intensified Israeli airstrikes in the capital. The escalating conflict continues to raise concerns of a broader regional war.