TEHRAN, Iran (BN24) — The head of Iran’s elite paramilitary force, Gen. Hossein Salami, is feared dead following an Israeli military strike that reportedly targeted multiple high-level Iranian figures, including senior officers of the Revolutionary Guard and nuclear scientists, Iranian state television announced Friday.
The brief report, which aired amid continuing Israeli attacks on Iran’s capital, offered few details about Salami’s condition but confirmed that he was unaccounted for following a direct hit on the Revolutionary Guard’s Tehran headquarters. The report also said one additional top Guard commander and two nuclear scientists were feared dead as a result of the strikes.
Iranian television described the scene at the Revolutionary Guard headquarters as chaotic and dangerous, with its reporter stating he could not get closer due to the intensity of the fire engulfing the complex.
The Israeli offensive, which began early Friday and has been dubbed Operation Rising Lion, has intensified fears of further escalation between the two long-time adversaries. Explosions were reported across multiple sites in Tehran, although the extent of the damage remains unclear.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), established after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, wields considerable power within Iran’s clerical leadership. It also oversees the country’s extensive ballistic missile program, which has been used in recent attacks against Israel during the current conflict centered on Gaza.
Top Israeli Military Commander Issues Dire Warning
In a parallel development, Israel’s military chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, issued a stern warning to Iran and its allied militias across the region, cautioning them against retaliatory actions.
“I warn, anyone who tries to challenge us will pay a heavy price,” Zamir said, addressing the nation from an undisclosed location amid ongoing security preparations.
The statement came as Israeli Defense Forces remained on high alert, anticipating potential missile or drone retaliation by Iran or its proxies in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Yemen.
Regional Tensions Escalate
The possible death of Gen. Salami, one of Iran’s most powerful and influential military leaders, could mark a turning point in the deepening confrontation between Israel and Iran. Salami has long been regarded as a chief architect of Iran’s external military operations, including support for proxy militias and missile development programs.
His reported death — along with that of senior colleagues and nuclear scientists — would likely galvanize calls within Tehran for a significant response. Iran’s leadership had earlier vowed a “destructive” retaliation to any direct Israeli assault on its soil.
While Iranian state media confirmed the hit on the IRGC command complex, it has so far refrained from confirming the deaths of the individuals named, pending what it called “ongoing assessments.”
Ongoing Operation and International Reaction
The airstrikes come as part of Israel’s broader campaign to cripple Iran’s nuclear and military capabilities, launched just days after U.S.-backed talks on Iran’s uranium enrichment program collapsed.
The Israeli government has repeatedly stated it will not allow Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon. On Friday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the current phase of conflict as a “decisive moment” for national security.
Meanwhile, global leaders have urged both nations to de-escalate. The United States, while distancing itself from direct involvement in the strikes, has warned Iran not to retaliate against American personnel or bases in the region.
As of Friday evening, crude oil prices had surged and global markets reacted nervously to the possibility of broader regional war.
AP
