Iran was shaken in the early hours of Friday morning when Israel struck many military and nuclear sites in the country in a "preemptive" strike that killed Ali Shamkhani, a top advisor to Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, and other top IRGC leaders.
But, many had a crucial question in their minds: Was the Supreme Leader himself a target? When posed with the question, IDF spokesman Brigadier General Efi Dafrin refused to answer it.
"Look, the individuals I have presented so far and whom we have harmed are at the heart of the Iranian security elite. Beyond that, I do not want to elaborate, and we will update you later on further development," Dafrin told reporters.
The IDF spokesperson, however, confirmed that the Chief of Staff of the Iranian regime's armed forces, Mohammad Hossein Baqeri, the commander of the Revolutionary Guards, Hossein Salami, and the commander of Khatem al-Anbiya (Emergency Command), Khatem-Gholam Ali Rashid, were eliminated in the strike.
However, the most significant of Israel's targets was Ali Shamkhani, who was the head of the Iranian nuclear programme and the Secretary-General of the Supreme National Security Council. Israel launched a direct hit at Shamkhani's house. A seriously injured Shamkhani was rushed to a hospital but was pronounced dead.
Khamenei's senior advisor Ali Shamkhani's home. His bedroom was blown out in a precision strike. pic.twitter.com/YhjnGqojtM
— 𝗡𝗶𝗼𝗵 𝗕𝗲𝗿𝗴 ♛ ✡︎ (@NiohBerg) June 13, 2025
He was one of the most recognisable figures in the Iranian leadership and was a very senior target in the Israeli opening strike, making the strike one of the most dramatic actions carried out by Israel. This would be a fatal blow to the Iranian nuclear programme.
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) June 13, 2025
To the great Iranian nation! Zionist regime has committed a crime in our dear country today at dawn with its satanic, bloodstained hands. It has revealed its malicious nature even more than before by targeting residential areas.
The attacks have left the Iranian regime fuming and Khamenei himself has issued a stern warning to Israel. In a message to the nation on Friday morning, hours after Israel struck locations in Tehran and other cities, Ayatollah Khamenei said the Zionist regime should await a harsh punishment. "With this crime, the Zionist regime sealed for itself a bitter and painful destiny and will definitely see that [destiny] brought upon it," Ayatollah Khamenei said, adding that a number of commanders and scientists were assassinated in the strikes but their successors and colleagues will immediately pick up their work.
