Since the start of the war launched by the United States and Israel, Iranian power has been hit hard, without falling. The strikes on Iran have killed many senior political and military officials, first and foremost Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, number one in Iranian power for thirty-seven years.
Donald Trump boasted in March of having obtained a “regime change”, a month after the launch of his offensive with Israel, but the Islamic Republic demonstrated its ability to face and quickly replace the killed leaders. While the end of the war was announced on the night of Sunday to Monday by Donald Trump and the regime in place in Tehran, here is a summary of the key figures of Iranian power killed since February 28.
Le guide suprême
Supreme leader Ali Khamenei was killed on the first day of the war, February 28, during a strike on Tehran which also cost the lives of several members of his family. His son Mojtaba, although injured, succeeded him, but he has not yet appeared in public.
Ali Khamenei is due to be buried on July 9 in Mashhad, his hometown, after a two-day national tribute in Tehran and then on July 7 in the holy city of Qom.
Iran’s security chief
The death of Ali Larijani, pillar of Iranian power, is probably the heaviest loss suffered by the Islamic Republic after that of Ali Khamenei. He was killed on March 17, along with other members of his family, in an apparent Israeli strike in the Tehran region.
The leader of the Revolutionary Guards
Killed on the first day of the war, Mohammad Pakpour, former head of the Guardians’ ground forces, had led the ideological army of the Islamic Republic since June 2025. He then succeeded Hossein Salami, killed during Israel’s 12-day war against Iran. He was replaced by the former Minister of Interior and Defense, Ahmad Vahidi.
The Navy Commander
A veteran of the Iran-Iraq War of 1980-1988, Alireza Tangsiri was one of the most senior figures within the Guards command, whose navy he had led since 2018. Israel claims to have killed him, along with other senior officers.
Le conseiller du guide suprême
Ali Shamkhani, pillar of the armed forces since the 1980s, was also killed on the first day of the war. He was given a public funeral in Tehran.
The Minister of Intelligence
Esmaël Khatib was killed by an Israeli strike in Tehran on March 18. In his post since 2021, he was accused by human rights organizations of having played a key role in the repression of mobilizations against power.
The Minister of Defense
Holder of the Defense portfolio since 2024, Aziz Nasirzadeh, veteran of the Iran-Iraq war, was also killed in a strike on the first day of the war.
The commander of the Basij
At the head of this paramilitary group, which brings together volunteers particularly mobilized against demonstrations hostile to the authorities, Gholamreza Soleimani, was killed in a strike on March 17.
Guardians spokesperson
Ali-Mohammad Naini was killed in what the Guardians called a “cowardly” attack by the United States and Israel. Just before his death was confirmed, the Fars news agency quoted Ali-Mohammad Naini as saying that Iran’s missile production deserved “perfect marks” and continued despite the war.
Le chef du bureau militaire du guide suprême
Mohammad Shirazi was killed on the first day of the war. He had the crucial task of coordinating the different branches of the security forces within the supreme leader’s office.
Our file on the War in the Middle East
The Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces
Abdolrahim Mousavi, killed on the first day of the war, had only held his position since June 2025, after the death of his predecessor Mohammad Bagheri during the 12-day war.
/2026/06/07/6a25a23ea8487202904775.jpg "Coupe du monde 2026 : lEspagne assume son statut de favorite, malgré plusieurs interrogations")
