IDF eliminates top Iranian intelligence leaders Ahmadi and Sh'mastan in Tehran strikes

Tel Aviv: The Israel Defence Forces confirmed Friday the elimination of Esmail Ahmadi, the head of the Intelligence Division of the Basij Force, and Mehdi Rastami Sh'mastan, a key commander within the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence, in a targeted strike that has significantly disrupted Tehran's security apparatus.

Ahmadi, as a high-ranking leader within the Basij, a paramilitary wing of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, was a central figure in advancing and executing regional terror attacks. IDF took to X to claim that he played a pivotal role in enforcing public order and suppressing internal Iranian protests.

Sh'mastan, on the other hand, was identified as a senior strategist responsible for foreign counter-intelligence and specialised operations.

The strike that killed Ahmedi had already resulted in the deaths of several other senior Basij leaders, including commander Gholamreza Soleimani, according to the IDF.

The deaths of such senior figures are expected to cause immediate operational friction within Iran’s intelligence community.