IRGC air force chief among dozens killed in Israeli strikes on Iran
Shafaq News/ Israel's military confirmed Friday the killing of Major General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' (IRGC) Aerospace Force, in a high-impact strike carried out deep inside Iranian territory.
Israeli and Iranian media also reported the deaths of at least 20 senior Iranian military commanders in the attacks. Among them was Brigadier General Mehdi Rabbani, deputy for operations at Iran's Armed Forces General Staff, who was reportedly killed along with his wife and children. Iranian outlets confirmed the death of Brigadier General Davoud Shekhiyan, commander of the IRGC's Aerospace Air Defense division, in a strike that hit a strategic site near Tehran.
The fatalities add to an already substantial list of Iranian leaders killed in Israel's Operation Rising Lion, including Major General Hossein Salami, commander-in-chief of the IRGC; Major General Mohammad Bagheri, chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces; and Major General Gholam Ali Rashid, commander of the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters. Also confirmed dead are Fereydoon Abbasi, the former head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran; Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi, president of Azad University; and Ahmad Reza Zoulfaghari, a prominent nuclear engineering professor.
Separately, reports from Iranian and Israeli media indicated that a new Israeli strike took place near Tabriz Airport in northwestern Iran, suggesting that Israel's aerial campaign is continuing beyond the initial wave of attacks.
Since the start of the strikes, Iran has shut down its airspace, elevated its military alert level, and launched more than 800 drones toward Israeli territory in what appears to be the Islamic Republic's first direct military retaliation.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Iraqi News
2 hours ago
- Iraqi News
Iran launches new wave of missile attacks on Israel
Tehran – Iran launched a new wave of missile attacks on Israel early Saturday after numerous sites had been struck across the Islamic republic, state media said. 'A new round of Iranian missile attacks on the Zionist regime begins from Tehran and Kermanshah', a city in western Iran, state TV reported.
Shafaq News
6 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Iran-Israel strands citizens abroad: KRG addresses flight chaos
Shafaq News/ On Friday, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) established an emergency joint committee to assist Kurdish citizens stranded abroad after Iraq closed its airspace, suspending all inbound and outbound flights. In a statement, the Department of Foreign Relations confirmed the committee, including representatives from both the Department and the Ministry of Interior, maintains contact with affected citizens and foreign authorities, emphasizing its focus on securing the safety of stranded individuals and facilitating their return. The sudden airspace closure has left many travelers stranded, especially in Istanbul, where numerous Kurdish passengers had been waiting to connect to flights bound for the Kurdistan Region. Additionally, Hajj pilgrims returning through Amman have faced disruptions caused by flight delays and cancellations. Earlier today, Karwan Stuni, spokesperson for the Kurdistan Region's Hajj and Umrah Commission, confirmed that the return of pilgrims from Saudi Arabia has been interrupted due to escalating tensions between Iran and Israel. Speaking to Shafaq News, Stuni indicated that should the current conditions continue, authorities may resort to overland routes to bring pilgrims back to the Region.
Shafaq News
6 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Iraq-Iran borders swamped as citizens flee escalating conflict
Shafaq News/ On Friday, Iraqi border crossings with Iran experienced a sharp rise in returning citizens amid escalating security tensions and ongoing Israeli airstrikes targeting Iranian cities and facilities since early morning. Eyewitnesses and travelers arriving from Iran reported heavy crowds at crossings, including Al-Munthiriya in Diyala Province and Bashmakh in al-Sulaymaniyah Province, where thousands streamed into Iraq. Most arrivals were students enrolled at Iranian universities, alongside patients and tourists. The overwhelming numbers caused long waits at the crossings, with many still awaiting permission to enter Iraqi territory. Among those returning, concerns grew that crossings could close or face new restrictions if hostilities intensify, leading to calls for Iraqi authorities to accelerate entry procedures. This surge followed unprecedented Israeli airstrikes targeting key sites in Tehran and other Iranian cities, which triggered a significant Iranian missile response on Tel Aviv.
