Who Is Hossein Salami, Iran's Revolutionary Guards Chief, Killed By Israel?

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Commander Hossein Salami has been killed in an Israeli strike, according to reports.

"Major General Hossein Salami, head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, was martyred in the Israeli regime's attack on the IRGC headquarters," the local Tasnim news agency reported.

He is one of the main power centres within the country's theocracy.

According to a report in The Times of Israel, the chief of Iran's military, Mohammad Bagheri, other members of the military's top brass, and senior nuclear scientists have also been killed in the IDF's opening strikes on Iran.

Who Is Hossein Salami?

Hossein Salami was a prominent Iranian military officer who served as the commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), one of the most powerful institutions within Iran's political and military structure.

Born in 1960 in Golpayegan, Isfahan province, Salami began his higher education in mechanical engineering before joining the IRGC at the outbreak of the Iran-Iraq War in 1980.

He quickly rose through the ranks, holding key positions such as commander of IRGC divisions, head of operations, and commander of the IRGC Air Force (later renamed Aerospace Force).

Salami was known for his technical expertise, particularly in missile development, and was instrumental in advancing Iran's ballistic missile program. His leadership in this area led to international sanctions against him.

IRGC Commander-in-Chief

Appointed as the IRGC's commander-in-chief by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in April 2019, Salami replaced Mohammad Ali Jafari.

Under his command, the IRGC expanded its influence in regional conflicts and continued its policy of confrontation with the United States, Israel, and Saudi Arabia.

Salami was recognized for his aggressive rhetoric, vowing retaliation against perceived adversaries and emphasizing Iran's readiness to respond to threats.

He played a central role during major events such as the aftermath of the US killing of Qasem Soleimani, the 2020 downing of Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752, and Iran's missile attacks on US bases in Iraq.

Salami was known for his fiery speeches, often threatening Iran's adversaries and boasting of the country's military capabilities.

He was vocal during periods of domestic unrest, such as the Mahsa Amini protests, warning against foreign interference and urging Iranians to support the regime.

He also promoted conspiracy theories, including claims that the COVID-19 pandemic might be a product of American biological warfare.

Top Leaders From Iran Dead

Meanwhile, Ali Shamkhani, a member of the Expediency Discernment Council and political advisor of the Supreme Leader of Iran, nuclear scientists Mohammad Mehdi Tehrani and Fereydoun Abbasi, and General Rashid are dead as per the reports.