Which Iranian leaders were killed, and who survived?
Among those reported killed as a result of US and Israeli military operations is Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. He was 86 years old, had led the country since 1989 and exerted a decisive influence on matters of national security, according to The Wall Street Journal.
The death of Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, has also been confirmed. He previously served in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and carried out key diplomatic missions.
Among the dead is Gholamreza Soleimani, who led the Basij forces. Under his command, hundreds of thousands of volunteers were deployed to suppress protests.
Ali Shamkhani, Secretary of Iran’s Defence Council, was also killed. He had previously headed the National Security Council and served as Commander of the Naval Forces.
The list of those killed also includes General Mohammad Pakpour, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, who took charge of the organisation following the death of his predecessor in 2025.
The death of Defence Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh has been confirmed. He had held this post since 2024 and was previously Deputy Chief of the General Staff and Commander of the Air Force.
At the same time, part of Iran’s political leadership has survived. Among them is President Masoud Pezeshkian, who was elected in 2024 on a platform of political and economic reform.
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the Speaker of Parliament and one of the coordinators of military operations, is also believed to be alive. He has ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and previously headed the police and served as Mayor of Tehran.
