Jerusalem, 17 June, 2025 (TPS-IL) — Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Israel’s military spokesman vowed forces would continue pursuing its enemies after assassinating Iran’s highest ranking army commander.
“We will relentlessly pursue our enemies through advanced intelligence capabilities, exploiting emerging opportunities, air superiority, and complex operational planning,” said Israel Defense Forces spokesman Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin.
Ali Shadmani, the Chief of Staff of Iran’s armed forces and a close confidant of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, was killed in an airstrike in Tehran, the IDF confirmed earlier in the day.
“Last night, following precise intelligence… we eliminated Ali Shadmani, the most senior military commander of the Iranian regime during the war,” Defrin said. “He was eliminated at the Iranian regime’s headquarters in the center of Tehran.”
Shadmani had been appointed Chief of Staff of Iran’s armed forces just four days earlier, after his predecessor Gholam Ali Rashid was killed in the opening strike of Israel’s campaign. “Shadmani served in the role for only four days—he too was eliminated,” Defrin said.
His assassination adds to a string of senior commanders and scientists that have decapitated Iran’s leadership.
Defrin said the IDF also carried out precision strikes overnight on surface-to-surface and surface-to-air missile launchers, UAV storage sites, and missile production facilities. In one instance, an Israeli drone identified and struck an anti-aircraft squad as it was preparing to launch a missile. “These operations stop significant amounts of the fire directed at Israel’s home front,” Defrin said.
Despite the ongoing strikes, Iran continues its missile fire. “Approximately thirty missiles were launched toward the State of Israel. Most of the missiles were intercepted, but several impacts were identified,” Defrin said. “We cannot afford to be complacent… the Iranians still possess the capabilities and intent to strike Israel’s home front.”
Israel launched preemptive strikes against Iranian nuclear sites on Friday, citing intelligence that Tehran had reached “a point of no return” in its pursuit of nuclear weapons. According to Israeli defense officials, Iran has developed the capacity to rapidly enrich uranium and assemble nuclear bombs, with sufficient fissile material for up to 15 weapons.
Israeli intelligence also exposed a covert program to complete all components of a nuclear device. The strikes mark a dramatic escalation in what officials describe as a broader Iranian strategy combining nuclear development, missile proliferation, and proxy warfare aimed at Israel’s destruction.
