Breaking: IRGC Intelligence Chief Khademi assassinated in US-Israeli strikes

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

Major General Majid Khademi, the head of intelligence for Iran’s powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), was killed on Monday in an attack that Iranian state media described as targeted, according to reports citing the paramilitary force.

The IRGC blamed the United States and Israel for the assassination, though it provided no immediate details on the precise location or method of the strike.

Multiple airstrikes were reported early Monday morning on residential areas around Iran’s capital, Tehran, amid heightened regional tensions.

Khademi had assumed the sensitive intelligence role relatively recently, succeeding Gen. Mohammad Kazemi, who was himself killed by Israel during the intense 12-day war between the two nations in June 2025.

His appointment came as Iran sought to rebuild its security apparatus following significant losses among senior commanders.

The IRGC’s intelligence organization, which Khademi led, holds sweeping authority within Iran and reports directly to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

It has been repeatedly linked to the detention of Western nationals and dual citizens, as well as accused by Western governments and rights groups of orchestrating extraterritorial operations, including assassinations and attacks against perceived opponents of the Islamic Republic abroad.

This latest killing represents another serious blow to the IRGC’s leadership structure, which has faced repeated high-profile losses in recent months. Iranian officials have vowed retaliation, though the immediate aftermath remains fluid with limited independent verification of details on the ground due to strict information controls in Tehran.

The incident occurs against a backdrop of ongoing shadow conflict and periodic direct confrontations between Iran and its adversaries, particularly Israel, which has conducted a campaign of targeted strikes against Iranian military and nuclear-linked figures. Analysts note that such assassinations often aim to disrupt command chains and deter Iran’s regional proxy activities and nuclear ambitions, though they risk further escalation.

As of Monday, neither the U.S. nor Israel had issued official comments on the reported death. Iranian state media framed the event as “martyrdom,” a common narrative used to rally domestic support and portray the regime’s resilience in the face of external pressure.