Israel has said it has “eliminated” Iran’s new top military commander.
“For the second time in 5 days—the IDF has eliminated Iran’s War-Time Chief of Staff, the regime’s top military commander,” Israel Defense Forces said in a post on X.
“Ali Shadmani, Iran’s senior-most military official and Khamenei’s closest military adviser, was killed in an IAF strike in central Tehran, following precise intelligence.”
There was no response from Iran.
Shadmani was appointed head of Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters just five days ago, following earlier Israeli strikes that eliminated much of the Iranian military leadership.
Why It Matters
Israel’s says its campaign against Iran is aimed at degrading Iran’s capacity to develop a nuclear weapon. Its strikes have hit uranium enrichment facilities and missile infrastructure. Iran responded with more than 370 missiles and hundreds of drones aimed at Israeli cities. On Tuesday, fresh explosions were heard in northern Israel as the conflict showed no signs of abating.
What to Know
Israel intensified its aerial offensive against Iran’s military and nuclear infrastructure on Tuesday.
President Donald Trump earlier issued a stark warning to residents of Tehran, urging immediate evacuation.
“IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON,” Trump posted Monday night on his social media platform. “Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!” The president cut short his participation in the G7 summit in Canada, returning to Washington early. However, he denied that his departure was related to negotiations for a ceasefire, stating the reason was “much bigger than that,” without offering additional details.
Iranians Flee Tehran After Trump’s Warning
Downtown Tehran began to empty early Tuesday. Many storefronts were shuttered, and the historic Grand Bazaar—typically a bustling hub of commerce—remained closed. Such closures have previously only occurred during periods of intense anti-government protests or the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Traffic out of Tehran was at a standstill, particularly on roads heading west toward the Caspian Sea, a popular destination during times of unrest. Long queues formed at gas stations across the city.
In Tehran, the Iranian government has maintained that the situation remains under control, despite increasing signs of public panic.
Trump’s warning marked a rare direct appeal to a foreign population from a sitting U.S. leader. The lack of elaboration on his remark about his early return to Washington— “Much bigger than that”—left room for speculation about the potential for broader military involvement or diplomatic maneuvers behind the scenes.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.
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