Israel Says It Has Killed Senior Iranian Commander Linked to Hamas Attack
Israel claims to have killed a top Iranian military figure, Saeed Izadi, in a targeted strike on Saturday in the city of Qom. According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Izadi was a key planner of the deadly 7 October 2023 Hamas attack on southern Israel, which left around 1,200 people dead and resulted in many being taken hostage.
IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir described the killing as a "major intelligence and operational achievement," stating that “the blood of thousands of Israelis is on his hands.”
Izadi, who led the Palestine Corps of the Quds Force—part of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC)—was reportedly instrumental in coordinating military ties and support between Iran and Palestinian armed groups, particularly Hamas. The Quds Force is known for handling Iran’s external military operations.
The Iranian government has yet to confirm his death and has denied involvement in Hamas's October attack.
Second Strike on Senior Commander
Later the same day, Israel said it had carried out another successful strike, killing Behnam Shahriyari, another Quds Force commander. Shahriyari was reportedly traveling in western Iran when his car was hit by a drone. According to the IDF, he played a major role in transferring missiles and rockets to regional proxy groups, including Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
If verified, these assassinations mark a significant blow to Iran’s military leadership and its regional operations.
Rising Tensions and Widening Conflict
The strikes come amid intensifying conflict, now entering its ninth day. Iran reported that Israeli forces targeted a nuclear facility near Isfahan. Israel, for its part, said it aimed at military infrastructure in southwestern Iran, while also confirming that Iranian drones had breached its airspace.
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, speaking from Istanbul, warned the United States that any involvement would be "very, very dangerous." In a separate statement to European diplomats in Geneva, he said Iran would not resume nuclear negotiations until Israel ends its attacks.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump, speaking on the issue, said Iran had "a maximum of two weeks" to return to talks before potentially facing U.S. airstrikes. Trump hinted at possible American support for Israeli actions, raising concerns about the conflict expanding.
Heavy Toll on Iran
Iranian authorities report that at least 430 people, including high-ranking military officers, have been killed since the start of the hostilities on 13 June. More than 3,500 people have reportedly been injured. The Human Rights Activists News Agency, an independent group tracking casualties in Iran, places the unofficial death toll at 657 as of Friday.
Meanwhile, Israel says 25 of its citizens have died since the fighting began, including one person who suffered a fatal heart attack during an air raid.
