Israel Eliminates Top Iranian Intelligence Chief in Precision Strike

Israel confirmed Monday that it has killed Brigadier General Majid Khademi, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ intelligence chief, in a precision strike that also eliminated Quds Force special operations commander Asghar Bagheri. The operation marks a significant blow to Iran’s military and intelligence leadership at a time of heightened tensions across the Middle East.

In a statement on social media, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) accused Khademi of advancing terrorist attacks abroad while overseeing surveillance of Iranian civilians during the regime’s crackdown on domestic protests.

“Khademi wasn’t just any figure, he was effectively No. 2 within the IRGC, one of the few senior commanders who managed to survive multiple waves of Israeli and American targeting over the past year — until now,” a senior Israeli official told Fox News. “He kept moving, relocating, but ultimately he was hunted down and eliminated.”

The intelligence chief’s death represents a strategic victory for Israel, as Khademi reportedly oversaw an intelligence apparatus that repeatedly failed to detect or prevent major Israeli and U.S. operations inside Iran. According to Israeli officials, these security failures exposed deep vulnerabilities within Iran’s national security infrastructure.

Of particular concern to Western intelligence agencies was Khademi’s alleged involvement in cyberoperations targeting American systems, including attempts to breach Pentagon networks. The Israeli official also claimed Khademi “coordinated extensively with Russia,” though specific details of this collaboration were not provided.

Bagheri, the second high-ranking Iranian commander killed in the strike, allegedly played a key role in recruiting agents throughout the Middle East and orchestrating attacks against American forces in Iraq and Syria. “Bagheri was directly involved in operations that led to U.S. casualties,” the senior Israeli official stated, though the IDF has not yet officially confirmed his death.

The IRGC intelligence division that Khademi led is considered one of Iran’s most powerful security organizations, with broad authority for domestic surveillance and countering foreign influence. It frequently operates independently from Iran’s civilian intelligence ministry, creating multiple layers of security apparatus within the country.

Prior to his appointment as intelligence chief, Khademi headed the Guard’s Intelligence Protection Organization, where he was responsible for internal surveillance and counter-intelligence operations. He also held senior positions within Iran’s defense ministry during his decades-long career in the Iranian security establishment.

The precision strike comes amid Iran’s ongoing internet blackout, which Israeli officials claim is being used both to hide damage from recent strikes and to suppress domestic dissent. The communications restrictions have made it difficult to independently verify the full impact of recent military operations inside Iran.

This latest targeted killing follows a pattern of escalating tensions between Israel and Iran. The two regional powers have engaged in increasingly direct confrontations following Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel and the subsequent war in Gaza. Iran has supported various proxy groups throughout the region, including Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

The assassination of such high-ranking officials suggests Israel is pursuing a strategy of targeting key Iranian military and intelligence leaders, potentially to disrupt command structures and degrade Iran’s ability to coordinate regional operations through its proxy network.

Neither Iran nor the United States has issued official statements regarding the strike at the time of reporting. The elimination of these commanders will likely prompt concerns about further escalation in an already volatile region.