List of key Iranian officials killed in US-Israel strikes

LAHORE (Web DESK) - US President Donald Trump has claimed that joint US-Israel strikes have resulted in the deaths of at least 48 key Iranian figures, asserting that Iran’s entire leadership has been decimated and many officials are seeking to surrender.

Iranian state media have confirmed over the past two days that several senior officials, including the country’s Supreme Leader, have been killed. The following are some of the key personalities reportedly affected:

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

Iran’s 86-year-old Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was reportedly martyred along with senior leadership in the strikes carried out on Saturday, as confirmed by the official news agency IRNA. The attack also claimed the lives of his daughter, son-in-law, and 14-year-old granddaughter.

Ali Shamkhani

Seventy-year-old Ali Shamkhani, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council and a close advisor to Khamenei, previously oversaw negotiations between the US and Iran on the nuclear program.

Shamkhani survived a targeted Israeli strike during the 12-day Iran-Israel conflict in June 2025.

He served as the council’s head for over a decade and was one of the longest-serving officials after former President Hassan Rouhani.

Abdolrahim Mousavi

Appointed Chief of Staff of Iran’s Armed Forces last June by Khamenei, Abdolrahim Mousavi had previously served as Commander-in-Chief from 2017 to 2025.

Mousavi was instrumental in developing Iran’s ballistic missiles, drone systems, and space launch programs, and faced international sanctions for human rights violations during domestic protests in November 2019.

Aziz Nasirzadeh

Serving as Defense Minister under President Massoud Pezeshkian’s 2024 government, Aziz Nasirzadeh, former Deputy Chief of Staff and ex-Commander of the Air Force (2018–2021), played a crucial role in protecting Iran’s military and nuclear infrastructure during US-Israel strikes. Earlier reports of his death were later proven false.

Mohammad Pakpour

Mohammad Pakpour, appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Revolutionary Guards by Khamenei last year, began his career in elite forces during the 1980s Iran-Iraq war.

Before his top appointment, he led the ground forces for 16 years and served as deputy of operations, overseeing major headquarters.

Following the strikes, Iranian state TV reported that a temporary three-member council—comprising President Pezeshkian, Supreme Court Chief Justice Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejei, and a Guardian Council jurist—will assume leadership duties.

Additionally, religious leader Ali Reza Arafi has been assigned to the council to fulfill the Supreme Leader’s responsibilities until a new appointment is made.