Israel and the United States have eliminated a significant portion of Iran's political, religious, and military leadership in 21 days of war. Iran views these deceased individuals as martyrs and has vowed to avenge their deaths. Ali Khamenei, Iran's leader since 1989, died on February 28 at the age of 86 on the first day of the bombings. Israel confirmed his death on March 14. Abdorrahim Mousavi, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, was killed on March 17. Aziz Nasirzadeh, the Minister of Defense, died on February 28. Ali Shamkhani, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, died on March 18. Mohammad Pakpur, Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, was killed on March 17. Ismail Jatib, the Minister of Intelligence, died on March 20. Gholamreza Soleimani, commander of the Basij forces, was killed on February 28. Ali Larijani, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, died on February 28. Abdollah Jalali Nasaby and Amir Shariat, high-ranking intelligence officials, died on February 28. Ali Mohammad Naini, a brigadier general and the deputy head of the IRGC's Public Relations Office, also died on February 28 along with his family.
