Israel's deadliest blow yet: Top Iranian generals and nuclear scientists killed; Here's who died and who's replacing them
Live Events
Major General Gholamali Rashid, head of the Khatam al Anbia base.
Ali Shamkhani, a senior adviser to the Supreme Leader, who was critically injured.
Several high-ranking IRGC air defence and drone unit officers.
Six nuclear scientists dead
Abdolhamid Manouchehr
Ahmad Reza Zolfaghari
Amirhossein Feghi
Motalibizadeh
Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi
Fereydoun Abbasi-Davani, former head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation and ex-MP
Khamenei responds with new military leadership
Iran retaliates, closes airspace
(You can now subscribe to our
(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel
Israel launched a sweeping military operation against Iran early Friday, killing key figures in Tehran's military and nuclear establishments in what has become the most significant strike against Iran since the 1980s. The campaign, dubbed Operation Rising Lion , saw Israeli warplanes hit multiple high-value targets across Iran, including underground nuclear enrichment facilities and command centres.Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, 'Moments ago, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel's very survival. This operation will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat.'According to the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF), around 200 fighter jets were deployed. Intelligence sources also told the Associated Press that Israeli spy agency Mossad had smuggled drones and precision weapons into Iranian territory ahead of the strikes. The damage, Iranian officials admitted, was extensive.Among the most prominent figures killed was General Hossein Salami , commander-in-chief of Iran's elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Salami, who had been appointed in 2019 by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was reportedly at the IRGC headquarters in Tehran when it was struck.General Mohammad Bagheri, Iran's top military official and chief of staff of the armed forces, was also confirmed dead. Bagheri, a veteran of the Iran-Iraq war, had held his post since 2016.Israel claimed it had also killed General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, the head of the Revolutionary Guard's Aerospace Force. Hajizadeh had long been accused by Israel of orchestrating drone and missile attacks against its territory. In a statement quoted by the Times of Israel, the IDF said, 'Hajizadeh publicly pledged allegiance to the idea of destroying Israel on multiple occasions in recent years and played a central role in formulating the plan to destroy Israel.'CNN's Frederik Pleitgen reported that the command structures of both the IRGC and Iran's military branches were hit hard. According to regional sources cited by Reuters, at least 20 senior commanders were killed.The list also includes:The Israeli strikes were also aimed at weakening Iran's nuclear programme. Six senior nuclear scientists were killed:Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation acknowledged that the Natanz enrichment site suffered damage but insisted there was no radiation leak. The UN nuclear watchdog, IAEA, confirmed that another key site, Fordo, remained unaffected. IAEA chief Rafael Grossi urged both parties to exercise 'maximum restraint' and said he was willing to travel to Tehran for talks.Hours after the strikes, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei named General Abdolrahim Mousavi as the new chief of staff of the armed forces and appointed Mohammad Pakpour as head of the Revolutionary Guard. Khamenei warned, 'Jerusalem will face severe punishment.'He added, 'Israel opened its wicked and blood-stained hand to commit a crime against our beloved country, revealing its malicious nature more than ever by striking residential centres.'Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said the 'legitimate and powerful response' would make Israel regret its 'foolish act.'In immediate response, Iran launched more than 100 drones towards Jerusalem. The IDF confirmed that air defence systems intercepted several of them. Meanwhile, Israel declared a state of emergency, with sirens sounding across major cities.Flights were grounded and airspace closed over Israel, Iran, Iraq, and Jordan. International carriers cancelled services, citing safety concerns. Internet restrictions were imposed in parts of Iran, with the Communications Ministry stating the move was temporary and would be lifted 'once normalcy returns.'India urged both nations to avoid further escalation. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said New Delhi maintained 'close and friendly' ties with both countries and advised Indian nationals in the region to remain vigilant.World leaders from the US, UK, China, Japan, and Australia called for restraint. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio clarified, 'The United States was not involved in Israel's unilateral military action.'Oil markets reacted sharply. US benchmark crude jumped by $4.97 to $72.91 a barrel, while Brent crude rose by $4.78 to $74.15. Richard Joswick of S&P Global said prices could rise further, depending on how the conflict unfolds.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
39 minutes ago
- First Post
'Those children look very hungry': Trump rejects Netanyahu's claim on Gaza starvation
In a rare disagreement with the Israeli leader, US President Donald Trump has rejected Benjamin Netanyahu's position on starvation in the Gaza Strip and flagged the hunger among Palestinian children there. read more US President Donald Trump (R) and UK's Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer (C) speak with members of the media prior to a bilateral meeting at the Trump Turnberry Golf Courses, in Turnberry southwest Scotland on July 28, 2025, as Victoria Starmer (R) stands by. (Photo: Christopher Furlong/Pool/AFP) In a rare disagreement with the Israeli leader, US President Donald Trump has rejected the position of Benjamin Netanyahu on starvation in the Gaza Strip. Trump on Monday said that 'those children look very hungry' about Palestinians in Gaza. As starvation is rising in Gaza by the day, more and more countries and organisations are joining in the condemnation of the Israeli policy of restricting the supply of food, medicine, and other essentials to Gaza. For months, food has been scarce in Gaza and hundreds of Palestinians have been killed —in what they say to be Israeli fire— while awaiting food at distribution site of US- and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD When asked in an interaction with the media during his trip to Scotland whether he agreed with Netanyahu on the situation in Gaza, Trump said, 'I don't know. I mean, based on the television, I would say not particularly. Those children look very hungry.' Speaking beside British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Trump further said that that his 'number one position' regarding Gaza was to 'get people fed' there. 'There are a lot of starving people there,' Trump further said. Trump said that while the United States had given $60 million, other countries would need to step up. He said that European Union (EU) chief Ursula von der Leyen had assured him that European nations would raise their contribution to Gaza. Starmer said that that the situation in Gaza was an 'absolute catastrophe'. 'Nobody wants to see that. People in Britain are revolted to see that,' said Starmer, adding that his government was working with Jordan to get supplies airdropped in Gaza. Netanyahu continues to maintain there's no starvation in Gaza Even as global condemnation rises by the day, Netanyahu has continued to maintain that there is no starvation in Gaza. He has called it a 'bold faced lie'. 'There is no policy of starvation in Gaza and there is no starvation in Gaza,' Netanyahu further said on Sunday. In sharp contrast to Netanyahu, the United Nations (UN) has maintained that around one in five children in Gaza Strip are now acutely malnourished and at least 63 people have died from malnutrition in July alone. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The UN has said that the hunger crisis in Gaza is 'entirely preventable' and accused Israel of the 'deliberate blocking and delay of large-scale food, health and humanitarian aid'.
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Israel's big warning to Ali Khamenei: ‘Will reach Iran and you personally'
Israel defense minister Israel Katz threatened Iran, saying that the country can reach Tehran once again, and would target Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei 'personally'. This is not the first time Katz has issued a threat to Khamenei's life. (AP) Katz made the remarks during a visit to Israeli Air Force's Ramon Air Base on Sunday. 'I want to convey a clear message to Khamenei the dictator - If you continue to threaten Israel, our long arm will again reach Tehran and with even greater force — and this time to you personally," Katz said, according to The Times of Israel. He further warned Iran against threatening Israel. 'Do not threaten, lest you be harmed,' Katz said. Katz also praised the jet fighter crews at the air base, in the presence of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He thanked the military personnel for their 'incredible work' during Operation Rising Lion. "..You opened the skies to Tehran, struck repeatedly at the head of the Iranian octopus, and removed threats of annihilation," Katz said. The term 'Iranian Octopus' comes from former Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett's doctrine, wherein he described Iran's Axis of Resistance as an octopus with tentacles which reached across the region. This is not the first time Katz has issued a threat to Khamenei's life. The Israeli defense minister had, on June 17, threatened Khamenei saying he could be killed like former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein, The Jerusalem Post reported. Khamenei had, earlier this month, called Israel the United States' 'dog on a leash'. The Supreme Leader said that Iran was capable of delivering a bigger blow to its rivals than seen in its war with Israel. He also said that Iran was prepared to respond to any renewed attack. The war between Iran and Israel ended last month with a ceasefire understanding. The conflict began with Israel's attack on June 13 to stop the Iranian nuclear programme from progressing. During the 12-day conflict, the Israeli military killed Iran's senior military commanders, nuclear scientists and civilians, with the total death toll currently at 1,060, as per Iranian officials. Iran retaliated with drone and missile strikes which killed at least 28 people in Israel.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
'Makes you feel little...': Trump says US gave $60 million for food in Gaza but no one said 'thank you'
President Trump expressed disappointment that the US wasn't thanked for providing $60 million in food aid to Gaza, while also claiming European countries offered no assistance. This comes amid growing concerns over hunger in Gaza and criticism of Israel's conduct during the 21-month war. Israeli pressure groups have warned of a "genocidal regime" in Israel. Trump claimed that, two weeks ago, the US gave $60 million (£45 million) worth of food to the Palestinians in Gaza Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Trump says he deserves thank you for Gaza aid Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads US President Donald Trump expressed disappointment thanked him for sending money meant to go toward food aid for Gaza that nobody as Palestinians continue to die everyday. The commander-in-chief was speaking in Turnberry in Scotland alongside European Commission president Ursula von der Trump was asked if Israel should be doing more to get aid into Gaza, Trump claimed that, two weeks ago, the US gave $60 million (£45 million) worth of food to the Palestinians in Gaza, adding that he deserved to be thanked for this.'You know, we gave $60 million two weeks ago and nobody even acknowledged it, for food,' he said. 'And you really want at least someone to say 'thank you'. No other country gave anything. It makes you feel a little bad when nobody talks about it.''Nobody said, 'Gee, thank you very much,'' he continued. 'And it would be nice to have at least a thank you.' The president did not specifically say where the $60 million he referenced came from or to whom it was also claimed "none of the European countries have given anything" before adding that "it would be nice to get at least a "thank you."Last month, Reuters reported that the State Department approved $30 million for the controversial Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). Aid groups, lawmakers and the United Nations have condemned GHF for bringing starving families to food distribution sites only for Israeli soldiers and US mercenaries to open fire on the GHF launched in May, Israeli forces have killed more than a thousand Palestinians seeking aid, the United Nations human rights office Israeli military on Sunday began a limited pause in fighting in three populated areas of Gaza for 10 hours a day, part of measures including airdrops as concerns grow over surging hunger and as Israel faces international criticism over its conduct in the 21-month of the other countries Trump is presumably referring to financially supports GHF. Some Arab countries have also delivered humanitarian assistance and given money toward Gaza relief.'It's a mess, that whole place is a mess,' Trump said Sunday of Gaza.'We're giving a lot of money and a lot of food and a lot of everything,' he continued. 'If we weren't there, I think people would have starved, frankly. They would have starved. And it's not like they're eating well.' Trump said he spoke over the weekend to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said the military will continue fighting in Gaza during the Israeli pressure groups B'Tselem and Physicians for Human Rights warned in a joint statement on Monday of what they called the development of a "genocidal regime in Israel, working to destroy Palestinian society in Gaza.""Nothing prepares you for the realisation that you are part of a society committing genocide. This is a deeply painful moment for us," said B'Tselem executive eirector Yuli Novak.(With AFP inputs)
