leading Iranian generals, 14 nuclear scientists martyred

*Israeli Strikes Kill Iranian Nuclear Scientists, Military Leaders, and High-Ranking Officials**

Israeli airstrikes have inflicted significant losses on Iran’s military leadership, killing 14 nuclear scientists, 8 generals, and numerous high-ranking officers. The attacks have severely disrupted Iran’s chain of command, dealing a major blow to its defense and intelligence operations.

According to Iran’s Tasnim News Agency, which has close ties to the government, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed the deaths of several top commanders, including Gen. Mohammad Kazemi, head of the IRGC’s intelligence unit, and his deputy, Gen. Hassan Mohaqiq. The strikes also killed multiple senior aerospace commanders: Davood Sheikhian, Mohammad Baqer Taherpoor, Masoud Tayyeb, Khosro Hassani, Javad Jarsara, and Mansour Safarpour—all of whom died in a Friday airstrike that also claimed the life of Iran’s top military chief.

In a statement, the IRGC honored the fallen officers, declaring: *"The sacrifices of these martyrs will forever remain in the historical memory of the Iranian nation, particularly in the proud legacy of the Aerospace Force, inspiring future generations. The loss of these courageous commanders has only strengthened Iran’s resolve to confront Zionism and its supporters with greater determination."*

### Key Figures Killed in the Strikes:
- **Major General Mohammad Bagheri** – Chief of Staff of Iran’s Armed Forces (second only to Ayatollah Khamenei); replaced by Gen. Abdolrahim Mousavi.
- **General Hossein Salami** – Commander-in-Chief of the IRGC; succeeded by Gen. Mohammad Pakpour.
- **General Gholamali Rashid** – Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
- **General Amir Ali Hajizadeh** – Head of the IRGC’s Aerospace Unit.
- **General Gholamreza Mehrabi** – Deputy Intelligence Chief of the Armed Forces.
- **General Mehdi Rabbani** – Deputy Commander of Operations.
- **General Davood Sheikhian** – Air Defense Commander.
- **General Khosro Hassani** – Deputy Intelligence Chief of the Aerospace Unit.
- **General Mohammad Kazemi & Hassan Mohaqiq** – Intelligence chiefs of the IRGC.
- **Ali Shamkhani** – Influential political figure and close advisor to Khamenei; reportedly overseeing nuclear negotiations with the U.S.

Additionally, an Israeli strike in East Azerbaijan Province killed 30 servicemen and a Red Crescent worker while injuring 55 others, according to provincial governor Bahram Sarmast (ISNA).