Israel’s targeted attacks on Iran’s nuclear and missile infrastructure early Friday took out two top Iranian generals.
The Israel Defense Forces strikes took out Gen. Hossein Salami, the leader of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), inflicting a significant blow to Tehran's governing theocracy. He had a history of threatening the U.S. and Israel.
Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, the chief of staff of the Iranian armed forces, was also killed. His death further escalates the gravity of the strike and its implications for Iran’s military structure.
In addition to Gen. Hossein Salami and Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, at least 20 senior Iranian commanders were killed in the strikes, including Ali Hajizadeh, the head of the IRGC Aerospace Force.