Israel killed one of Iran’s most senior military officials, just days after he replaced his slain predecessor, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced Tuesday.
Ali Shadmani, appointed just last Friday as Iranian chief of staff by the country’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, was killed in an airstrike Monday night, according to the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Shadmani joins a growing list of top Iranian military officials and nuclear scientists eliminated since Israel launched its strikes against Iran to begin Operation Rising Lion.
“We still do not know who the successor of the successor will be,” Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said in the statement. “I’d recommend whoever that position is offered to think it through. If he accepts – extreme caution is recommended.”
Shadmani was widely considered Iran’s most senior military commander and the closest remaining military figure to Khamenei, the Israel Defense Forces told the Times of Israel. Shadmani’s predecessor, Gholamali Rashid, was killed Friday during Israel’s initial wave of strikes against the Islamic Republic.
“Our position in the international arena regarding Operation Rising Lion is good. There is great understanding of the actions we have taken and also understanding that the existential threat to Israel has implications for the security of the entire region, the security of Europe, and world order at large,” Sa’ar said.
The regime in Tehran appears increasingly destabilized, fueling speculation about a possible collapse. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday that regime change “could certainly be the result because the Iran regime is very weak.”
However, President Donald Trump has reportedly opposed Israeli plans to eliminate Khamenei, and the Department of Defense has denied any direct involvement in the attacks.
On Monday, Trump departed early from the G7 summit in Canada to return to Washington, D.C., citing the need to address developments in the Middle East. He urged residents of Tehran to evacuate and reiterated his stance on Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
“Iran should have signed the ‘deal’ I told them to sign. What a shame, and waste of human life. Simply stated, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. I said it over and over again! Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!” Trump posted on Truth Social.
In the wake of the strikes, Iran has signaled interest in restarting negotiations. Trump, however, said Monday evening that he wants a “real end” to Iran’s nuclear program, rather than a temporary ceasefire.
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