From the Liveblog of
Friday, June 13, 2025
IDF confirms IRGC air force chief, top echelon killed in Israeli strike
Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent
The commander of the IRGC air force, Brig. Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh, was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Iran overnight, the IDF announces.
According to the military, the top brass of the IRGC Aerospace Force was killed alongside him as they met in an underground command center to prepare to attack Israel.
The command center was struck by fighter jets, the IDF says.
Among the senior officials killed were the commanders of the IRGC’s drone unit and air defense unit, the military says.
The IRGC air force was responsible for Iran’s ballistic missile and drone attacks on Israel in April and October last year.
The IDF says the officials also led the 2019 drone attack on oil facilities in Saudi Arabia.
“Hajizadeh publicly pledged allegiance to the idea of destroying Israel on multiple occasions in recent years and played a central role in formulating the plan to destroy Israel,” the army adds.
The Times of Israel Community.