Key Iranian leaders killed in US-Israel strikes

Coordinated strikes by the United States and Israel have killed some of Iran’s most powerful political and military figures, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, dealing an unprecedented blow to the Islamic Republic’s command structure.

Iran’s state news agency IRNA confirmed that the 86-year-old leader was killed in Saturday’s attacks, along with members of his family.

Here are some of the key Iranian figures who have been killed in the strikes

Ali Shamkhani — A senior adviser to Khamenei and secretary of Iran’s Defence Council, Shamkhani oversaw nuclear negotiations with Washington and had previously survived an Israeli strike in 2025 that left him severely injured. He had earlier served for a decade as secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, making him one of Iran’s longest-serving security chiefs.


Abdolrahim Mousavi — The armed forces chief of staff, appointed shortly after last year’s Israel-Iran hostilities, was widely seen as a central figure in Iran’s missile, drone and space programmes. He had previously led the army from 2017 to 2025 and was sanctioned by Western governments in 2023 over alleged human-rights abuses linked to the 2019 protests.

Aziz Nasirzadeh — Serving as defence minister in Pezeshkian’s administration, Nasirzadeh earlier commanded the air force and later became deputy chief of staff of the armed forces. During escalating tensions in 2025, he warned that Tehran would target US bases across the region if attacked.

Mohammad Pakpour — Commander-in-chief of the elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps since June 2025, Pakpour was a career IRGC officer who had led its ground forces for 16 years and previously commanded major operational headquarters.

Hossein Jabal Amelian — IRGC brigadier general and head of Iran’s advanced weapons research organisation.

Mohammad Shirazi — Head of the Supreme Leader’s Military Office for decades and a key liaison between commanders and Iran’s top leadership.

Mohsen Darrebaghi — Air Force brigadier general who served in multiple senior readiness and research posts.

Gholamreza Rezaian — Commander of Iran’s police intelligence organisation.

US casualties reported in Operation Epic Fury

According to a Guardian report, United States Central Command, which directs American military operations across the Middle East from its headquarters in Tampa, said earlier on Sunday that three US service members were killed and five others seriously wounded as of 9:30 a.m. ET in the operation the Pentagon has codenamed Operation Epic Fury.