Photo credit: Iran Military

In a significant escalation of the ongoing shadow war between Israel and Iran, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) carried out a targeted airstrike in Tehran that eliminated four senior Iranian intelligence officials. This strike, guided by highly accurate intelligence, was executed by Israeli Air Force (IAF) fighter jets and marks one of the most substantial blows to Iran’s intelligence and operational command in recent years.

Among the officials killed was Mohammad Kazemi, the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ (IRGC) Intelligence Organization. Kazemi held one of the most powerful intelligence roles in Iran, overseeing domestic surveillance aimed at suppressing dissent, managing counterintelligence efforts, and directing foreign operations—including those against Israel and Western interests. His leadership shaped much of Iran’s covert regional strategy.

Also eliminated in the strike were:

Mohammad Hassan Mohaqiq, Kazemi’s deputy and a former head of the IRGC’s Strategic Intelligence Division. He was instrumental in orchestrating terrorist operations across the region.

Mohsen Bakri, head of intelligence for the Quds Force—the IRGC’s elite unit responsible for overseas operations.

Abu al-Fadl Nikouei, Bakri’s deputy and a key figure in coordinating intelligence for Quds Force activities.


These individuals played a direct role in Iran’s regional influence campaigns, including its support for proxy militias and covert action networks. Their deaths represent a severe disruption to Iran’s ability to project power through intelligence and terror operations.

This latest operation follows the killing of Iran’s Armed Forces’ Intelligence Chief just last week. The two strikes in close succession underscore a strategic shift in Israel’s targeting policy—focusing not only on operational cells and proxy militias, but also on the architects of Iran’s intelligence and terror infrastructure.

While Tehran has not yet issued a formal response, regional analysts anticipate that Iran will view this as a major provocation, possibly triggering retaliatory action through its network of allied groups.

In the broader context, the elimination of such high-ranking figures highlights a turning point in the intelligence war between Israel and Iran. It sends a clear signal that Israel is willing to take bold and precise action deep within enemy territory to dismantle the upper echelons of hostile threat networks.