The strike marks an unprecedented blow to Iran’s navy command construction.
| Photograph Credit score:
Lisi Niesner
Following the assassination of high Iranian navy leaders in Israel’s strike, Iran’s Commander-in-Chief Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has introduced main appointments to restructure the nation’s navy management.
Based on Iranian state-run media IRNA, Main Common Amir Hatami has been appointed because the Chief Commander of the Military of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Hatami beforehand served as Iran’s Defence Minister from 2013 to 2021. In his official decree, Khamenei praised Hatami’s “dedication, competence, and expertise,” and referred to as for a “transformative and revolutionary strategy” beneath his management, IRNA in its report stated.
As per the Iranian state-run media, Iran’s Supreme Chief additionally expressed appreciation for Main Common Seyyed Abdolrahim Mousavi for his “honest and precious efforts” throughout his time period.
After the assassination of Iran’s former Chief of Workers of the Armed Forces (CSAF) Common Mohammad Hossein Bagheri “by the hands of the evil Zionist regime”, Iran’s Supreme Chief Khamenei named Mousavi as his successor.
In a put up on X, Khamenei wrote: “In view of the martyrdom of Lieutenant Common Mohammad Hossein Bagheri by the hands of the evil Zionist regime, & in gentle of Main Common Sayyid Abdolrahim Mousavi’s meritorious providers & precious expertise, I appoint him as Chief of Workers of the Armed Forces.”
Equally, Khamenei made contemporary appointments throughout different branches of the navy to exchange the highest generals killed within the Israeli airstrike, which has been dubbed Operation Rising Lion.
Khamenei appointed Main Common Mohammad Pakpour as Commander-in-Chief of the IRGC, following the killing of Lt Gen Hossein Salami by Israel.
“In view of the martyrdom of Lieutenant Common Hossein Salami by the hands of the vile Zionist regime, and in gentle of Main Common Mohammad Pakpour’s meritorious providers and precious expertise, I appoint him as Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps,” Khamenei introduced.
“In view of Lt. Gen. Gholamali Rashid’s martyrdom by the hands of the vile Zionist regime, and in gentle of Main Common Ali Shadmani’s meritorious providers & precious expertise, I confer the rank of Main Gen. & appoint him Commander of the Khatam al-Anbiya (pbuh) Central HQ,” he additionally introduced in a put up on X.
Based on a CNN report, Israel’s Operation Rising Lion killed Iran’s highest-ranking navy officers, together with the heads of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the air power, and a former nationwide safety chief. The strike marks an unprecedented blow to Iran’s navy command construction.
Amongst these killed was Main Common Hossein Salami, some of the highly effective males in Iran, commander of the IRGC. Born in 1960, Salami had led the Iranian ‘elite’ power since 2019. The IRGC is Iran’s most influential navy establishment, usually tasked with suppressing dissent domestically and supporting allied teams just like the Houthis throughout the area.
Salami oversaw the IRGC when Iran launched direct drone and missile assaults on Israel in April and October 2024, CNN in its report stated.
Additional, the CNN report added that Main Common Mohammad Bagheri, the earlier Chief of Workers of Iran’s Armed Forces, was one other key casualty. He had served within the put up since 2016 and performed a central function in navy coordination and overseas coverage, together with efforts in Syria and talks with Saudi Arabia.
Ali Shamkhani, former nationwide safety chief and long-time aide to Khamenei, additionally died within the strike. Shamkhani was instrumental in Iran’s latest diplomatic outreach, together with talks with Saudi Arabia to revive ties in a China-brokered deal. Although he was changed in mid-2023, he remained a trusted advisor to the Supreme Chief, the CNN report stated.
Amir Ali Hajizadeh, head of the IRGC’s air power, additionally perished. He, as per the CNN report, was thought to be the mastermind behind Iran’s missile assaults on Israel and the US navy in Iraq in 2020. The Israeli navy stated Hajizadeh and his senior workers had been killed in a strike on an underground command centre.
On Friday, Israel launched “pre-emptive” strikes on Iran’s nuclear services. In a clarification, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) stated in a put up on X, “Iran is nearer than ever to acquiring a nuclear weapon. Weapons of mass destruction within the fingers of the Iranian regime are an existential menace to the State of Israel and the broader world. The State of Israel has no selection however to fulfil the duty to behave in defence of its residents and can proceed to take action in every single place it’s required to take action.”
In response, Iran retaliated by launching drone and missile strikes on Tel Aviv. Israel has since continued its counterstrikes.
Revealed on June 14, 2025