In three weeks of war, U.S.-Israeli strikes have killed numerous high-ranking Iranian political and military officials, decapitating a significant portion of the Islamic Republic's elite.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Thursday that Iran was "being decimated," while the Israeli military described the Iranian leadership as a "house of cards collapsing."
However, several key figures, including Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, have survived. The Islamic Republic has rapidly replaced the slain officials while continuing its war against the United States and Israel.
Here is a summary of the key figures killed so far in the war:
The Supreme Leader
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's top leader since 1989, was killed on the first day of the war, February 28, during a strike on Tehran that also claimed the lives of several family members. His son Mojtaba, though injured according to U.S. officials, survived and succeeded him as the new Supreme Leader, but has not yet spoken publicly.
The Head of the National Security Council
The death of Ali Larijani is likely the heaviest loss suffered by the Islamic Republic after the demise of Ali Khamenei. He was killed on March 17 in an Israeli strike, apparently in the Tehran region, which also killed members of his family.
The Commander-in-Chief of the Revolutionary Guards
Mohammad Pakpour was killed on the first day of the war and was replaced by former Interior and Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi.
The Supreme Leader's Advisor
Ali Shamkhani, a pillar of the armed forces since the 1980s, was killed on the first day of the war. He was given a public funeral in Tehran.
The Intelligence Minister
Esmaeil Khatib was killed by an Israeli strike in Tehran on March 18.
The Defense Minister
Aziz Nasirzadeh, a veteran of the Iran-Iraq War, was also killed in a strike on the first day of the war.
The Basij Commander
Gholamreza Soleimani was killed in a strike on March 17.
The Revolutionary Guards Spokesperson
Ali-Mohammad Naini was killed in the early hours of Friday in what the Guards called a "cowardly" attack by the United States and Israel.
The Head of the Supreme Leader's Military Office
Mohammad Shirazi was killed on the first day of the war.
The Armed Forces Chief of Staff
Abdolrahim Mousavi, killed on the first day of the war, had only held his post since June 2025, following the death of his predecessor Mohammad Bagheri during the 12-Day War.
AFP
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