A top adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Ali Shamkhani, has died from wounds sustained in Israel’s initial wave of airstrikes early Friday, Iranian state media confirmed Saturday, marking one of the most high-profile Iranian deaths since Israel launched its unprecedented assault on Iran.
Shamkhani, a longtime political and military figure, served as Iran’s national security chief for a decade and had advised Khamenei since 2023. His death came amid a series of targeted Israeli strikes that killed some 20 senior Iranian military officials in less than 48 hours, according to the Israel Defense Forces.
Among those killed were Revolutionary Guards chief Maj. Gen. Hossein Salami, Armed Forces chief Maj. Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, and the emergency command head Maj. Gen. Gholam Ali Rashid — all senior architects of Iran’s military operations. The IRGC confirmed their deaths on Friday.
Israel says the strikes are aimed at crippling Iran’s nuclear program and its capacity to wage war, especially after Tehran launched barrages of drones and missiles at Israel in April and October of last year.
Also killed was Brig. Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh, commander of the IRGC Aerospace Force, who was responsible for Iran’s missile and drone operations. He and several top deputies were reportedly meeting in an underground command center to prepare attacks on Israel after the initial wave of strikes, when they were hit.
The IDF said it also eliminated Gholam-Reza Marhabi, head of the intelligence department of the Iranian Armed Forces.
The series of strikes marks one of the most devastating blows to Iran’s top military leadership in decades. Israeli officials claim the attacks have significantly degraded Iran’s ability to launch further strikes.
In response, Iran launched three major barrages of ballistic missiles at Israel Friday night and early Saturday morning, sending Israelis across the country rushing to shelters. Three people were killed and dozens were injured.
Fearing that Iran could seek to retaliate by targeting top Israeli leaders, the Shin Bet security service has reportedly implemented a sweeping plan to dramatically bolster security for senior political, defense, and intelligence officials.
According to a report by the Ynet news site, the plan includes special deployment measures and operational procedures.
The heightened security posture comes amid concerns that, following the elimination of much of Iran’s top defense brass, Tehran or its proxies may attempt to strike directly at Israel’s leadership.