Iran's leadership losses: Who are the key figures killed in US‑Israeli strikes as war persists?

A wave of US‑Israeli airstrikes targeting Iran's power centres has decimated much of the Islamic Republic's senior political and military leadership, killing several high‑profile commanders and officials and underscoring how deeply the conflict has shaken Iran's core power structure. 

From Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, top generals and defence chiefs to key security operatives, the losses have sent ripples through Tehran amid a widening regional war, disrupting energy markets and global shipping.

Below are some of the most prominent figures killed:

Supreme leader

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who as ‌Supreme Leader since 1989, built an iron grip over Iran while entrenching hostility towards the US and Israel, was killed aged 86 in a US-Israeli air strike on his compound on 28 February.

His more than three-decade rule was marked by the consolidation of power through the security apparatus, and the expansion of Iran's regional influence, even as tensions over its nuclear programme repeatedly brought it into confrontation with the West.

Senior officials

Ali Larijani

Ali Larijani, secretary of the Supreme ⁠National Security Council and a veteran powerbroker, was killed at 67 in a US-Israeli air strike in the Pardis area on 17 March, along with his son and one of his deputies, Iranian media reported.

A former Revolutionary Guards commander and nuclear negotiator, he was a close adviser to the slain Supreme Leader and played an important role in shaping Iran's security and foreign policy.

Esmail Khatib

Esmail Khatib, Iran's intelligence minister, was killed in an Israeli strike on March 18. A hardliner cleric and politician, he worked in Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's office and was mentored by him before heading the civilian intelligence apparatus in August 2021.

Ali Shamkhani

Ali Shamkhani, a close adviser to Khamenei and a key figure in Iran's security and nuclear policymaking, was ‌killed ⁠in US-Israeli strikes on Tehran on 28 February.

He had earlier survived an attack on his home during the 12-day June war between Israel and Iran.

Top military commanders

Mohammad Pakpour

Mohammad Pakpour, commander-in-chief of the IRGC, Iran's most powerful military force, was killed in the 28 February strikes in Tehran, Iranian state media said.

He rose through the ranks to lead the Revolutionary Guards after his predecessor Hossein Salami was ⁠killed in the 12-day war in June.

Aziz Nasirzadeh

Aziz Nasirzadeh, Iran's defence minister and a career air force officer, was killed in the same wave of strikes targeting senior leadership in Tehran on 28 February, according to sources. He played a key role in military planning and ⁠defence policy.

Abdolrahim Mousavi

Abdolrahim Mousavi, chief of staff of Iran's armed forces, was killed in the 28 February strikes during what Iranian media said was a meeting of senior leadership in Tehran. He was responsible for coordinating Iran's military branches and ⁠overseeing conventional forces.

Gholamreza Soleimani

Gholamreza Soleimani, commander of Iran's Basij paramilitary force, was killed in US-Israeli strikes on 17 March, according to Iranian state media. A senior Revolutionary Guards officer, he led the force central to internal security and the enforcement of state authority.

Alireza Tangsiri

Alireza Tangsiri, the commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC)'s Navy, was killed in Israeli strikes on 26 March, according to the BBC.

He was an experienced commander in place since 2018. Tangsiri has played a significant part in Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz.