Israel announced the targeted killing of a senior Iranian commander, Saeed Izadi, in a Saturday strike on Qom. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) identified Izadi as a key planner of Hamas’s October 7th, 2023 attack on southern Israel, an assault that resulted in approximately 1,200 fatalities and numerous hostages.
IDF Chief Eyal Zamir declared the operation a significant intelligence and operational achievement, stating that Izadi’s “blood is on the hands of thousands of Israelis.”
Iran has yet to confirm Izadi’s death and continues to deny involvement in the Hamas attack. The IDF reported the strike targeted Izadi’s apartment in Qom. As head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps’s (IRGC) Quds Force’s Palestine Corps, Izadi allegedly oversaw Hamas’s arming and financing, coordinating military actions between senior IRGC commanders and Hamas leadership.
In April 2024, Izadi narrowly escaped an Israeli airstrike targeting the Iranian consulate in Damascus. The IDF also claimed responsibility for the killing of another Quds Force commander, Behnam Shahriyari, in a separate drone strike in western Iran. Shahriyari reportedly facilitated the transport of missiles and rockets to Iranian proxy groups, including Hamas and Hezbollah.
The potential confirmation of these assassinations represents a substantial blow to the IRGC. The escalating conflict between Israel and Iran entered its ninth day, with both sides launching new attacks on Saturday. Iran reported an Israeli strike on a nuclear facility near Isfahan, while Israel cited targeting military infrastructure in southwest Iran and acknowledged Iranian drone incursions.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned against US involvement, deeming it “very, very dangerous,” and stated that Iran would not resume nuclear talks until Israeli strikes cease. Former US President Donald Trump suggested potential US intervention, giving Iran two weeks to negotiate its nuclear program or face potential American airstrikes.
Iranian officials report at least 430 deaths and 3,500 injuries since the conflict began on June 13th, figures disputed by the Human Rights Activists News Agency, which estimates a death toll of 657. Israeli officials report 25 deaths, including one attributed to a heart attack.
Sources question the efficacy of UK diplomacy in resolving the conflict.
This follows US President Donald Trump’s criticism of a statement regarding Iran’s nuclear weapons development.
Anti-regime Iranians, while united in their desire for the Islamic Republic’s downfall, exhibit differing views on the Iran-Israel conflict and appropriate responses.
Accounts of Israeli bombardments vary, with some reporting witnessing the events and others only hearing explosions.
A recent altercation involved pro- and anti-monarchy Iranian protesters.