While Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have called on residents of Tehran to evacuate, leaving the city might prove more difficult.

Iran’s capital for more than 200 years, the city is home to around 9.5 million of the country’s 90 million-strong population, although there are more than 14 million people in the metro area.

Located at the foot of Mount Damavand, it is also home to the country’s largest economic center and a base for basic industries, including automation, textiles and chemicals.

Many schools, universities, museums and theaters are also located in the city.

KKN Gurugram Desk | As tensions between Israel and Iran escalate to dangerous new levels, the Israeli military has claimed a significant strategic success by eliminating Ali Shadmani, one of Iran’s top military commanders and reportedly a close aide to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Though Iranian authorities have not yet officially confirmed his death, if verified, this marks one of the biggest blows to Iran’s military leadership since the latest round of conflict erupted earlier this month.

IDF Strikes Again: Second High-Ranking Iranian Official Killed in 5 Days

On Tuesday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced via a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) that it had successfully eliminated Ali Shadmani, who had recently been appointed as Iran’s wartime Chief of Staff.

“For the second time in five days, the IDF has neutralized Iran’s wartime Chief of Staff and top military commander,” the post stated.

“Based on high-level intelligence, the Israeli Air Force conducted a precision strike deep inside Tehran, targeting and killing Ali Shadmani, one of Khamenei’s most trusted advisors.”

The announcement comes amid ongoing air and drone attacks, intelligence warfare, and cyber skirmishes between the two arch-rivals. This latest move is likely to further escalate the Israel-Iran war, which has entered its most dangerous phase in recent years.

Who Was Ali Shadmani?

Ali Shadmani was not just a high-ranking general in the Iranian military structure; he was one of the most powerful strategic minds in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Known to have served closely with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Shadmani was reportedly the architect behind several of Iran’s defense and counteroffensive operations.

Shadmani had been recently promoted as the wartime Chief of Staff, a critical position tasked with coordinating Iran’s military response in the wake of intensifying hostilities with Israel. According to defense analysts, he was responsible for Iran’s regional security doctrine, including support for proxy groups like Hezbollah in Lebanon and militia groups in Syria and Iraq.

His death, if confirmed, would deal a psychological and strategic setback to Tehran’s wartime coordination.

Rising Hostilities: Background of the Current Conflict

The Israel-Iran conflict entered a new phase of open hostilities earlier this month after a suspected Iranian cyberattack disabled Israeli air defense systems temporarily, prompting retaliatory Israeli strikes on Iranian-backed assets in Syria and Iraq.

In response, Iran escalated by targeting Israeli military positions using drones and long-range missiles via its proxies. The death of high-ranking officers on both sides has turned this into a direct confrontation, unlike the shadow warfare that previously defined their rivalry.

Ali Shadmani’s killing marks the second major Iranian military figure eliminated by Israel in under a week. Earlier, Israeli forces had confirmed the death of Maj. Gen. Reza Zaman, another key figure in the Iranian strategic chain.

Operation Details: A Strike Deep Inside Tehran?

What makes this particular incident more alarming is the geographical location of the strike. According to the IDF’s social media post and unverified sources in Israeli intelligence circles, the strike occurred within Tehran’s urban limits.

This suggests either:

A covert operation involving deep infiltration, or

An airstrike launched using long-range precision-guided missiles or drones capable of penetrating Iranian airspace undetected.

Either scenario showcases Israel’s advanced military capabilities and intelligence penetration into the highest echelons of Iran’s defense establishment.

While Iranian state media has not confirmed the incident, pro-government social media accounts have gone silent, fueling speculation that authorities are deliberately delaying public acknowledgment until internal assessments are completed.

Strategic Implications for Iran

Losing a top military planner like Shadmani during wartime can have multiple strategic impacts for Iran:

Loss of command continuity: His death may disrupt ongoing battle plans and counteroffensive operations. Internal power struggle: Iran’s military hierarchy could face confusion or rivalry as different commanders try to assume control. Morale crisis: For soldiers and Iran-backed militias, the loss of a trusted leader could dampen operational enthusiasm. Increased pressure on Khamenei: As Shadmani was considered one of his most trusted men, Khamenei could face internal criticism for security failures.

Israel’s Message: No Safe Haven for Threats

By allegedly striking deep into Tehran, Israel has sent a loud and clear message to Iran: No territory is off-limits when it comes to national defense.

The IDF’s aggressive posture is consistent with Israel’s long-standing defense doctrine of preemptive strikes and targeted eliminations to deter threats. The move also aims to disrupt Iran’s central command during a crucial phase of war.

Defense experts believe that Israel is focusing on:

Crippling Iran’s command-and-control infrastructure

Weakening its capability to coordinate attacks via regional proxies

Forcing Iran into political and military recalibration

International Response and Global Concerns

As the news spreads, global leaders and diplomatic observers are closely monitoring the situation. The United Nations Security Council is expected to convene for an emergency session if the conflict escalates further.

So far, the United States has expressed concern but has refrained from taking sides, urging both nations to exercise restraint.

Meanwhile, Russia and China, two of Iran’s close allies, have called for a diplomatic solution, although they have not officially condemned the Israeli action. Western European nations, particularly Germany and France, have also urged for a de-escalation, fearing that the conflict could spiral into a wider regional war in the Middle East.

What Happens Next?

With back-to-back losses of top commanders, Iran is likely to:

Launch retaliatory strikes, either directly or via proxy groups

Mobilize internal security to prevent further infiltrations

Call on allies like Hezbollah to intensify pressure on Israel’s northern borders

Israel, on the other hand, is expected to:

Fortify its Iron Dome and Arrow missile defense systems

Keep elite commando units on high alert

Increase cyber and satellite surveillance on Iran

The coming days may witness more targeted strikes, proxy escalations, or perhaps international intervention to prevent full-scale war.

The alleged killing of Ali Shadmani, one of Iran’s highest-ranking commanders, is not just a tactical victory for Israel — it’s a geopolitical message. In a war increasingly fought through precision intelligence, cyber warfare, and strategic assassinations, this development signals that no place is truly safe, not even the capital of a sovereign state.

As the Israel-Iran war of 2025 intensifies, the world watches with bated breath. What started as covert operations and proxy fights has now become a direct, high-risk military confrontation, with consequences that may reverberate far beyond the Middle East.

Related

While European calls for de-escalation of the conflict between Israel and Iran are largely falling flat, German MP Johann Wadephul, speaking from Oman on Monday, said Berlin is using its ties with both Israel and regional powers to push for diplomacy.

“My hope and my efforts are that it will not be a prolonged war, but that we take the opportunity to enter into a negotiation phase,” he said. But he added that Iran must show “clear willingness to refrain from nuclear armament” if talks are to move forward.

Speaking to ABC news on Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu argued that

targeting Khamenei would end, not escalate, the ongoing conflict between the countries.

“The ‘forever war’ is what Iran wants, and they’re bringing us to the brink of nuclear war. In fact, what Israel is doing is preventing this, bringing an end to this aggression, and we can only do so by standing up to the forces of evil,” he said.

Explosions were reported Tuesday in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, as Iranian state media claimed a new wave of missiles had been launched toward Israel. These were followed by a new round of Israeli airstrikes in western Iran, according to a military official.

U.S. President Donald Trump issued an all-caps warning on social media Tuesday urging Iranians to evacuate Tehran — further stoking fears of regional escalation.

US President Trump has three main courses of action he can take for dealing with Iran:

1. Stay the course of ambivalence: Escalation would bring with it many risks, especially for Trump, who has not only blamed the Biden administration for letting wars start, but had also promised to end them almost instantly after taking office. He may continue to let American naval destroyers and ground based missile batteries are already helping in Israel’s defence against the Iranian retaliation as they are doing now.

2. Back Netanyahu in achieving his goals of regime change and nuclear disarmament: Netanyahu has constantly pressurised Trump to go down the military path. Reports suggest Israeli leadership is also hoping for intervention by the US in the current conflict.

A weaker hand for the Iranian leadership could also mean that Trump will have them at a spot he likes on the negotiating table.

3. Pulling out completely and let Israel and Iran decide the war on their own: Many in the MAGA camp reject US’ “ironclad” support to Israel, backing his “America First” agenda. US pulling out support would be a big blow to Israel. Iran has already threatened to attack US bases in the region if, as is now happening, Washington assists Israel’s defence.

Live Israel-Iran war updates: IAEA says Israeli strikes had ‘direct impacts’ on Natanz underground nuclear facility Israel-Iran War: Amid the rapidly escalating conflict with Israel, Iran has reportedly signalled a willingness to halt the violence and resume negotiations over its nuclear programme. According to *The Wall Street Journal*, citing Middle Eastern and European officials, Iran has sent messages to both

New Delhi:

The long-standing tensions between Israel and Iran escalated into open warfare on Friday, 13 June 2025, marking an unprecedented phase of direct military conflict. Israel launched a large-scale offensive involving fighter jets and drones, targeting key Iranian nuclear and military facilities. These included surface-to-surface missile production sites, radar installations, and surface-to-air missile launchers.

The strikes also hit residential areas and fuel depots, with Iran’s health ministry reporting at least 224 deaths and more than 1,200 injuries, most of them civilians. Israeli forces are also reported to have killed several senior Iranian military commanders and nuclear scientists. According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), one-third of Iran’s surface-to-surface missile launchers have been destroyed, and Israel has established “full air superiority over Tehran.” An Iranian refuelling aircraft was also struck at a distance of 2,300 kilometres.

In response, Iran has fired waves of missiles and drones at Israeli cities and towns, resulting in at least 24 deaths and 592 injuries. Among the targets was a major oil refinery in Haifa. The IDF reported intercepting more than 100 Iranian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).