According to various reports, the Israeli military conducted a series of strikes in Iran, starting on June 13, 2025, as part of Operation Rising Lion. These strikes targeted Iranian military and nuclear facilities and included assassination attempts on key figures.
1)
1)
The operation was described as a preemptive effort to disrupt Iran's nuclear program and military leadership. Below is a summary of the reported outcomes and individuals targeted, based on available information:
2)
2)
Success of the Assassination Attempts
Israeli sources and international media reported that the strikes were highly successful in eliminating senior Iranian military commanders and nuclear scientists.
3)
Israeli sources and international media reported that the strikes were highly successful in eliminating senior Iranian military commanders and nuclear scientists.
3)
The operation involved over 200 Israeli Air Force fighter jets, precision intelligence, and special operations, including drones and commando units.
4)
4)
The attacks caught Iran off guard, partly due to the assumption that no major strike would occur during ongoing nuclear negotiations with the U.S. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and officials claimed significant damage to Iran's nuclear capabilities and
5)
5)
military command structure, with some reports indicating that the strikes set back Iran's nuclear program by a "very long time."
However, Iranian sources emphasized significant civilian casualties and condemned the strikes as "barbaric," reporting at least 78-220 deaths,
6)
However, Iranian sources emphasized significant civilian casualties and condemned the strikes as "barbaric," reporting at least 78-220 deaths,
6)
including civilians and children, and hundreds injured. Iran also claimed its air defenses remained partially operational and retaliated with missile and drone attacks on Israel,
7)
7)
though these were less intense than earlier salvos, suggesting possible degradation of Iran's capabilities.
Individuals Reported Eliminated
The following high-profile individuals were reported killed in the Israeli strikes, based on multiple sources:
8)
Individuals Reported Eliminated
The following high-profile individuals were reported killed in the Israeli strikes, based on multiple sources:
8)
Military Commanders:
1. Maj. Gen. Mohammad Bagheri - Chief of Staff of Iran’s Armed Forces, the second-highest commander after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
9)
1. Maj. Gen. Mohammad Bagheri - Chief of Staff of Iran’s Armed Forces, the second-highest commander after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
9)
He was a key figure in Iran’s military strategy and had served since 2016. Replaced by Maj. Gen. Abdolrahim Mousavi.
10)
10)
2. Gen. Hossein Salami - Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). A hardline figure who joined the IRGC during the Iran-Iraq War, known for his aggressive rhetoric against Israel. Replaced by Maj. Gen. Mohammad Pakpour.
11)
11)
3. Gen. Gholamali Rashid - Head of the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, responsible for coordinating joint military operations. He was a veteran of the Iran-Iraq War and a senior IRGC figure. Replaced by Maj. Gen. Ali Shadmani (who was later killed).
12)
12)
4. Maj. Gen. Ali Shadmani - Appointed head of Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters after Rashid’s death but killed days later on June 17, 2025, in a strike in Tehran. Described as Iran’s wartime Chief of Staff and a close ally of Khamenei.
13)
13)
5. Brig. Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh - Commander of the IRGC Aerospace Forces, responsible for Iran’s missile attacks on Israel in 2024. Killed in an airstrike on an underground IRGC Air Force command center. Replaced by Maj. Gen. Majid Mousavi.
14)
14)
6. Gen. Mohammad Kazemi - Head of the IRGC’s intelligence organization. Killed in strikes on Sunday, June 15, 2025.
7. Gen. Hassan Mohaqiq - Deputy to Mohammad Kazemi in the IRGC intelligence unit, killed in the same strike.
15)
7. Gen. Hassan Mohaqiq - Deputy to Mohammad Kazemi in the IRGC intelligence unit, killed in the same strike.
15)
8. Gen. Davood Sheikhian - Commander of air defense in the IRGC Aerospace Forces.
9. Gen. Saeed Izadi - Commander of the Quds Force’s Palestine Corps, a key coordinator with Hamas. Killed in a strike in Qom.
16)
9. Gen. Saeed Izadi - Commander of the Quds Force’s Palestine Corps, a key coordinator with Hamas. Killed in a strike in Qom.
16)
10. Behnam Shahriyari - Commander of the Quds Force’s Weapons Transfer Unit, responsible for arming Iran’s proxies. Killed in western Iran.
11. Gen. Mehdi Rabbani - Deputy Commander of Operations for the Iranian Armed Forces.
17)
11. Gen. Mehdi Rabbani - Deputy Commander of Operations for the Iranian Armed Forces.
17)
12-17. Other IRGC Aerospace Officers - Including Taher Pour (drone chief), Mohammad Baqer Taherpoor, Masoud Tayyeb, Khosro Hassani, Javad Jarsara, and Mansour Safarpour, killed in the same strike as Hajizadeh.
18)
18)
Nuclear Scientists:
1. Fereydoun Abbasi - Former head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization (2011-2013) and a nuclear physicist who survived a previous assassination attempt in 2010.
19)
1. Fereydoun Abbasi - Former head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization (2011-2013) and a nuclear physicist who survived a previous assassination attempt in 2010.
19)
2. Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi - Theoretical physicist and president of Islamic Azad University in Tehran.
Other Scientists - The IDF reported the elimination of nine senior nuclear scientists, including:
3. Mohammad Mahdi (physics expert)
20)
Other Scientists - The IDF reported the elimination of nine senior nuclear scientists, including:
3. Mohammad Mahdi (physics expert)
20)
4. Akbar Motalebi Zadeh (chemical engineering specialist)
5. Saeed Barji (materials engineering specialist)
6. Ahmad Reza Zolfaghari Daryani (nuclear engineering expert)
7. Ali Bakhouei Katirimi (mechanics expert)
8. Amir Hassan Fakhahi (physics expert)
21)
5. Saeed Barji (materials engineering specialist)
6. Ahmad Reza Zolfaghari Daryani (nuclear engineering expert)
7. Ali Bakhouei Katirimi (mechanics expert)
8. Amir Hassan Fakhahi (physics expert)
21)
9. Abd al-Hamid Minoushehr (physics expert)
10. Mansour Asgari (physics expert)
11. Isar Tabatabai-Qamsheh (unnamed nuclear scientist, reported by Iranian media).
22)
10. Mansour Asgari (physics expert)
11. Isar Tabatabai-Qamsheh (unnamed nuclear scientist, reported by Iranian media).
22)
Political Figures:
1. Ali Shamkhani - Senior adviser to Supreme Leader Khamenei and a key nuclear negotiator. Initial reports of his death on June 13 were later corrected by some sources, but Iranian media and officials confirmed his killing.
23)
1. Ali Shamkhani - Senior adviser to Supreme Leader Khamenei and a key nuclear negotiator. Initial reports of his death on June 13 were later corrected by some sources, but Iranian media and officials confirmed his killing.
23)
Additional Notes
Israeli Claims: The IDF and Israeli officials, including Defense Minister Israel Katz and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, described the operation as a “striking achievement,” emphasizing the precise elimination of key figures involved in Iran’s nuclear &
24)
Israeli Claims: The IDF and Israeli officials, including Defense Minister Israel Katz and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, described the operation as a “striking achievement,” emphasizing the precise elimination of key figures involved in Iran’s nuclear &
24)
military programs. They claimed the strikes significantly disrupted Iran’s ability to develop nuclear weapons and launch missiles.
Iranian Response: Iran condemned the strikes, reporting significant civilian casualties and damage to infrastructure,
25)
Iranian Response: Iran condemned the strikes, reporting significant civilian casualties and damage to infrastructure,
25)
including the Natanz nuclear facility and state TV headquarters. Supreme Leader Khamenei vowed a “harsh and decisive response” but expressed caution about escalating into all-out war, fearing domestic and international repercussions.
26)
26)
Unconfirmed Reports: Some X posts and early reports suggested additional targets, such as an assassination attempt on Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi (foiled) and strikes on other nuclear or military figures, but these lack confirmation from reliable sources.
27)
27)
There are also initial and unconfirmed reports of the assassination of Khamenei's son, Mojtaba Khamenei reportedly killed at close range in Tehran. This is still under investigation.
28)
28)
Context of Operation: The strikes were part of a broader escalation, following Israel’s earlier assassinations of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in 2024, which prompted Iranian missile attacks on Israel.
29)
29)
The June 2025 operation targeted Iran’s nuclear sites (Natanz, Isfahan, Fordow) and military leadership to prevent nuclear weapon development and weaken Iran’s military capabilities.
30)
30)
Caveats
Conflicting Reports: Some initial reports, such as the death of Ali Shamkhani, were later questioned, and Iranian media occasionally provided contradictory information.
31)
Conflicting Reports: Some initial reports, such as the death of Ali Shamkhani, were later questioned, and Iranian media occasionally provided contradictory information.
31)
The exact number of casualties and the full extent of damage remain unclear due to the fog of war and propaganda from both sides.
32)
Thanks to Grok for help with research.
32)
Thanks to Grok for help with research.
@threadreaderapp unroll
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
