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Which senior Iranian figures have been killed by US-Israeli attacks?

As well as the supreme leader and his family members, a string of military and intelligence officials targeted
Iran's Defence Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh (centre) in Qingdao in eastern China's Shandong province on 26 June 2025. Nasirzadeh was killed in Tehran on Saturday (AFP/Pedro Pardo)
Iran's defence minister, Aziz Nasirzadeh (centre), in Qingdao in eastern China's Shandong province on 26 June 2025. Nasirzadeh was killed in Tehran on Saturday (AFP/Pedro Pardo)

American and Israeli bombing has killed scores of Iranians over the past day, including both civilians and senior officials. 

At least 148 people, mostly young girls, were among those killed in a strike on a school in the city of Minab. 

A number of prominent political and military figures have been targeted and killed too. 

Middle East Eye breaks down what we know so far about who has been killed. 

Confirmed killed

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Ali Khamenei

Foremost of those killed is Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the country’s political and religious figurehead since 1989. 

The supreme leader's death was confirmed by a tearful state TV presenter, who said the 86-year-old "achieved his long-cherished wish of martyrdom in the holy month of Ramadan".

Khamenei's daughter, son-in-law, daughter-in-law and granddaughter were also killed in US-Israeli strikes, state media reported. 

Mohammad Pakpour

Mohammad Pakpour was the commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) - a role he had held since June, when his predecessor, Hossein Salami, was killed by an Israeli strike during the 12-day war. 

Ali Shamkhani

Obituary: Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's Supreme Leader and dominant political figure for decades
Read More »

Ali Shamkhani was the secretary of Iran’s defence council and a close adviser to the supreme leader.

He had been overseeing nuclear negotiations with the US, which he commented on as recently as Thursday.

Shamkhani was previously targeted by an Israeli attack in June, narrowly surviving and being pulled from the rubble of his home with severe injuries. 

Aziz Nasirzadeh

Aziz Nasirzadeh was Iran’s defence minister, a position he had held since the election of President Masoud Pezeshkian’s government in mid-2024. 

Before that, Nasirzadeh held roles as commander of the air force and deputy chief of staff of the armed forces. 

Abdolrahim Mousavi

Abdolrahim Mousavi was the chief of staff of the armed forces. His predecessor, Mohammad Bagheri, was killed by an Israeli strike in June.

Reported killed but unconfirmed

Israel’s military spokesperson announced the death of a string of other senior officials, though Iranian media has not yet commented.

The officials are believed by Israel to have been killed when Israeli forces simultaneously hit a string of locations in Tehran where senior political and military figures convened on Saturday morning.

The New York Times reported that the CIA had been tracking Khamenei’s movements for months, and learned more recently that a top meeting was set to take place at a leadership compound in Tehran. 

This intelligence was passed onto Israel, according to people briefed on the matter. 

Around 40 Iranian officials were killed on Saturday, CBS reported, citing intelligence and military sources. 

MEE could not independently verify the claims. 

The figures reported or suspected killed include:

Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the slain supreme leader who is considered to be a successor candidate. Israel’s Kan state broadcaster said there were indications that Mojtaba was killed, though this remains unconfirmed. 

Esmail Qaani, head of the IRGC’s elite al-Quds force.

Majid Mousavi, the IRGC’s air force chief who oversees Iran’s ballistic missile attacks.

Saleh Asadi, a senior intelligence officer.

Mohammad Shirazi, head of Khamenei’s military bureau. 

Hossein Jabal Amelian, chair of the research and development agency of Iran’s defence ministry. 

Reza Mozaffari-Nia, former chair of the research and development agency of Iran’s defence ministry. 

Reported safe

Those who the Iranian authorities say are still alive include:

President Masoud Pezeshkian

Ali Larijani, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council.

Both Pezeshkian and Larijani were targeted, according to Israeli media. 

Minister of Foeriegn Affairs Abbas Araghchi

Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei, head of the judiciary.

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, parliamentary speaker.

State media reported that following Khamenei’s death, leadership of the country would temporarily be transferred to a three-member council comprising of Pezeshkian, Mohseni-Ejei and Alireza Arafi, a jurist from the Guardian Council. 

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