Tehran: Israel's recent strikes on Iran have resulted in significant casualties, including the deaths of key military leaders and nuclear scientists. The attacks, which occurred on June 13, targeted nuclear and missile facilities as well as residential areas, marking a major escalation in tensions between the two countries.
According to Anadolu Agency, the large-scale assault by Israel began in the early hours of Friday and resulted in the deaths of 104 individuals, with nearly 380 others injured. In response, Iran launched ballistic missile attacks on several locations in Israel, which led to the deaths of three people and injuries to over 170 others.
Among those killed in the Israeli strikes was Maj. Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, the chief of staff of the Iranian armed forces. Bagheri, born in 1960 in Tehran, had a long military career, joining the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) intelligence unit and serving during the Iran-Iraq War. He became the chief of staff in 2016 and was sanctioned by the US in 2019.
Hossein Salami, the commander-in-chief of the IRGC, was another prominent figure killed. Salami, also born in 1960, had served in various capacities within the IRGC since the Iran-Iraq War. He became the IRGC commander in April 2019.
Maj. Gen. Gholam Ali Rashid, who was the commander of Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, was also among the casualties. Rashid had a significant military career, serving as deputy chief of staff for 17 years and playing a crucial role in the operational command of the armed forces.
Amir Ali Hajizadeh, the commander of the IRGC Aerospace Forces, was another high-ranking officer killed in the strikes. He was instrumental in advancing Iran's missile capabilities and strengthening its defensive deterrence.
The attacks also claimed the lives of six Iranian scientists, including Fereydoon Abbasi, a nuclear physicist and former head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran. Abbasi had previously survived an assassination attempt in 2010.
Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi, a physicist and nuclear scientist, was among the deceased. He held roles as a scientific advisor and vice chancellor for research at the Laser and Plasma Research Institute.
Other scientists killed include Abdulhamid Minouchehr, Ahmadreza Zolfaghari, Seyyed Amirhossein Faqhi, and Motablizadeh, all of whom were affiliated with Shahid Beheshti University and other research institutions.