Who Is Majid Khademi, Iran's Revolutionary Guards' Intel Chief, Killed By US?

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has confirmed the death of Brigadier General Majid Khademi, the head of its Intelligence Organization, following an airstrike early Monday morning. The announcement, released via the state-linked Tasnim news agency, marks a significant blow to Iran's security apparatus and follows a period of heightened regional volatility.

According to the official statement, Khademi was killed in a strike carried out at dawn. While the IRGC has not explicitly named the perpetrator in its initial briefing, the incident mirrors previous high-profile assassinations of Iranian military officials. The strike comes at a sensitive time for the IRGC, which has been attempting to stabilise its intelligence leadership amidst ongoing external threats and internal restructuring.

Who was Majid Khademi?

Majid Khademi was a formidable figure within the Iranian military hierarchy, possessing a rare blend of academic credentials and operational experience. He held dual PhDs in National Security and Strategic Defence Sciences, qualifications that facilitated his rapid ascent through the ranks of the IRGC.

Before his most recent promotion, Khademi's career was defined by his work in counter-intelligence and internal security:

2014 onwards: Identified by analysts as a rising star and a potential successor to the IRGC's top intelligence posts.

Pre-2022: Led a specialised intelligence unit within the Ministry of Defence.

2022 - 2025: Served as the head of the Intelligence Protection Organization, a body tasked with preventing espionage and subversion within the IRGC itself.

A Turbulent Tenure

Khademi's appointment to the leadership of the IRGC Intelligence Organization on 19 June 2025 was born out of necessity and crisis. He was chosen to replace his predecessor, Mohammad Kazemi, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike during the "Twelve-Day War" just days earlier.

Khademi's primary mandate was to reform and secure the IRGC's intelligence wings after a series of perceived security lapses. Despite his public rhetoric-which often emphasised that Iran was prepared to neutralise threats without being the aggressor-his tenure was marked by the difficult task of navigating a regional "shadow war."

List of High Profile Iranian leaders killed in the ongoing war

The death of a second intelligence chief in less than a year presents a profound challenge for the Iranian leadership. Khademi was seen as a stabilising force who combined technical expertise with a deep understanding of the IRGC's internal dynamics.