Israeli air forces carried out targeted strikes early Friday on Iranian military installations, killing General Hossein Salami, the commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The death of Gen. Salami was confirmed by Iranian state media and represents a significant blow to Iran’s military command. The airstrikes are part of Israel’s ongoing effort to curb Iran’s military influence in the region, particularly amid rising tensions linked to the Gaza conflict and regional proxy wars.

General Salami, 65, was appointed to lead the IRGC in 2019 by Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The IRGC is a powerful branch of Iran’s military, responsible for overseeing the country’s ballistic missile program and maintaining influence across various conflict zones, including Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq. Salami was known for his hardline stance against Israel and the United States, frequently issuing strong statements condemning their actions and pledging retaliation. His leadership followed the killing of Qassem Soleimani, the former head of the IRGC’s Quds Force, in a U.S. drone strike in 2020.

This latest airstrike escalates a covert but intense conflict between Israel and Iran, which has involved missile exchanges, drone attacks, and air raids targeting military infrastructure. Israeli officials have intensified efforts to disrupt Iran’s missile capabilities and diminish its regional influence. The killing of Gen. Salami signals a major shift in the military balance and is expected to have significant repercussions for Tehran’s strategic planning and its ongoing support for proxy groups across the Middle East.