In a major military operation, Israel has announced the elimination of two top-level Iranian commanders from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in separate airstrikes inside Iran. These actions come as part of Israel’s ongoing efforts to weaken groups that have targeted its people with rockets and planned attacks.
Key Quds Force Commanders Eliminated in Targeted Israeli Strikes
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that Behnam Shahriyari, an IRGC commander and head of the Quds Force’s Weapons Transfer Unit, was killed while traveling in western Iran. According to the IDF, he was the head of Iran’s secret Unit 190, which had been smuggling weapons to groups like Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza, and the Houthis in Yemen.
Israel said Shahriyari moved large quantities of weapons and sent hundreds of millions of dollars to groups that oppose Israel. They claimed he directly organized and supported attacks against Israeli citizens and soldiers. His efforts included shipping long-range rockets and other arms used in recent attacks on Israeli territory.
The IDF explained that this operation took place more than 1,000 kilometers away from Israeli soil and is considered a significant success. They believe this will seriously harm the ability of Iran’s allies in the region to carry out further attacks.
The strike reportedly came after years of tracking Shahriyari, who had been a key target since at least 2009. Israeli sources stated that the IRGC commander worked closely with groups in Lebanon, Gaza, Syria, and Yemen to deliver weapons and financial support used in several violent incidents.
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Strike in Qom Targets Mastermind Behind October 7 Attack
In a separate airstrike, Saeed Izadi, another senior IRGC commander and the head of the Quds Force’s Palestine Corps, was killed inside a safe house in the Iranian city of Qom. According to the Israeli military, Izadi was a key planner behind the Hamas-led attack on Israel that took place on October 7, 2023.
The IDF identified him as the main link between Iran’s Quds Force and Hamas. As an IRGC commander, Izadi was responsible for coordinating Iran’s military support for Palestinian armed groups and for helping shape offensive strategies aimed at destabilizing Israel.
As per the IDF’s statement, Izadi had direct communication with Hamas leaders, provided financial backing, and helped them plan cross-border attacks. Officials described him as one of the masterminds of Iran’s two-phase offensive—first launching missile attacks through proxies, then coordinating ground invasions from regions including Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and the West Bank.
According to Israeli defense officials, locating and targeting Izadi required a detailed and long-term intelligence effort. While Iranian media acknowledged airstrikes in Qom and other regions, they initially avoided naming Izadi as one of the dead. Early local reports mentioned civilian casualties, including a teenager, without disclosing the identities of other victims.
Iran-Israel Tensions Rise as Conflict Escalates
The killing of both Behnam Shahriyari and Saeed Izadi, both senior IRGC commanders and top figures in the Quds Force, marks a serious escalation in the long-running tension between Israel and Iran. Israel carried out these targeted operations as part of its broader military campaign, focusing on weakening Iranian military assets and infrastructure involved in attacks on Israeli territory.
These latest strikes come during a time of active conflict, with Iran responding to Israeli actions by launching dozens of missile and drone attacks. Israeli authorities stated that hostile forces fired over 450 rockets and missiles into Israeli territory, triggering air raid alerts in cities like Tel Aviv and others across the country.
While Iran maintains that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, Israel has claimed that recent military operations have disrupted Iran’s nuclear progress by up to three years. At the same time, Israel continues to focus on dismantling key parts of Iran’s military supply network.
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Analysts see the removal of Shahriyari, head of the Quds Force’s Weapons Transfer Unit, and Izadi, head of the Quds Force’s Palestine Corps, as a direct hit to Iran’s ability to fund and supply its regional allies. It also reveals the level of intelligence gathered by Israel on the activities of senior IRGC leaders.
These developments have further intensified the already strained relations between the two nations. The strikes are part of an ongoing regional conflict where Israel aims to counter the activities of groups armed and supported by Iran.