Former head of IDF’s Iran directorate said to have taken part in airstrikes during last month’s war

The former head of the IDF’s now-defunct Strategy and Third-Circle Directorate, Maj. Gen. Tal Kelman, was among the combat pilots selected to take part in the Israeli Air Force’s extensive strikes during Operation Rising Lion, which targeted critical sites deep within Iran last month, Walla News reports.

The Strategy and Third-Circle Directorate — which was responsible for overseeing the military’s Iran file — was disbanded earlier this year by IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir.

Kelman, 57, played a central role in planning IDF strategy against the Iranian regime and overseeing intelligence tracking of its nuclear program during his time in the directorate. He is reported to have directly participated in the execution of airstrikes during the campaign.

Also taking part in the operation was Maj. Gen. Aviad Dagan, 52, the current head of the IDF’s Computer Service Directorate. Both Kelman and Dagan are seasoned fighter pilots and are now the highest-ranking officers publicly known to have been directly involved in the Iran strikes, Walla reports.

They were reportedly joined by several other senior IDF officers holding the rank of brigadier general, who were also integral to the wave of coordinated airstrikes conducted by the Israeli Air Force over the 12-day campaign, during which Israel maintained control of Iranian airspace.