On Monday, Israeli forces conducted an airstrike in Tehran that resulted in the death of Brigadier General Majid Khademi, the head of the Intelligence Organization of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). This was confirmed by the elite Iranian military unit.
Before the Iranian regime officially acknowledged the incident, Israel's Defense Minister, Israel Katz, announced Khademi's elimination, describing him as "one of the top three leaders within the organization."
The Revolutionary Guard released a statement via the Tasnim agency, declaring that "the esteemed and honorable head of the IRGC Intelligence Organization has achieved the high honor of martyrdom."
International Reactions and Accusations
According to EFE, Iranian media labeled the strike as a "terrorist attack carried out by the American-Zionist enemy."
Khademi had assumed his position in June 2025, following the death of his predecessor Mohammad Kazemi, who was also killed alongside his deputy Hassan Mohaqeq in an Israeli strike on their headquarters in Tehran. Khademi spent decades in intelligence and counterintelligence roles within Iran's security apparatus before taking on the leadership role.
Ongoing Conflict with Iran
His death is part of a broader pattern of high-ranking Iranian officials being targeted since the open conflict between Iran, Israel, and the United States began on February 28, 2026. The conflict was marked by coordinated attacks that hit over 1,000 Iranian targets, including nuclear facilities.
In the early days of the conflict, significant figures such as Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh, the IRGC's Commander-in-Chief General Mohammad Pakpour, and Chief of Staff General Abdorrahim Mousavi were killed.
In subsequent weeks, other key officials were eliminated, including the Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani, Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib, Basij Chief Gholamreza Soleimani, and IRGC Spokesperson Ali Mohamad Naini.
Historical Context of Targeted Killings
This systematic decapitation strategy has its closest precedent in the assassination of General Qasem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force of the IRGC, who was taken out by a U.S. drone strike at Baghdad airport on January 3, 2020, by order of then-President Donald Trump.
Khademi's death occurs amid heightened tensions: Trump threatened on Sunday to unleash "hell" on Iran by Tuesday, April 8, if the regime did not reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which has been closed since March 4, 2026. The deadline was set for 8 PM Eastern Time.
The Iranian Parliament's President, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, dismissed these threats as "reckless," warning that "war crimes will gain them nothing" and that "the only real solution is to respect the rights of the Iranian people and end this dangerous game."
Key Questions About the Israeli Airstrike on Iran
What was the significance of Majid Khademi's role within the IRGC?
Majid Khademi was a pivotal figure in Iran's intelligence community, serving as the head of the Intelligence Organization of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. His extensive background in intelligence and counterintelligence made him a key player in the security apparatus of Iran.
How did Iranian officials respond to the airstrike?
Iranian officials, including the President of the Parliament, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, condemned the attack and labeled it as a terrorist act by the American-Zionist enemy. They dismissed threats from the United States as reckless and emphasized the need to respect Iran's rights.