Tel Aviv: In a significant escalation, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Friday announced the killing of Esmail Ahmadi, the head of the Intelligence Division of Iran’s Basij Force, in a targeted strike in central Tehran.
In an official statement posted on X, the IDF described the operation as a high-value strike aimed at the core leadership of the Basij, claiming that several other senior commanders were also eliminated in the attack.
🔴ELIMINATED: Esmail Ahmadi, Head of the Intelligence Division of the Basij Force, as well as several other senior commanders in a strike on the senior leadership of the Basij Force in the heart of Tehran.
Ahmadi played a central role in advancing and executing terror attacks… pic.twitter.com/M9mwVmlvH7
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) March 20, 2026
According to Israeli officials, Ahmadi was a key figure behind the planning and execution of multiple operations attributed to the Basij. The IDF further alleged that he played a crucial role in enforcing state control and ideological directives on behalf of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), including overseeing crackdowns during recent anti-government protests in Iran.
In a separate development, the IDF claimed that Mehdi Rastami Sh’mastan, identified as a senior commander within Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence, was also killed. Israeli authorities accused him of being instrumental in coordinating attacks targeting Israeli and Jewish civilians globally.
There has been no immediate official confirmation or response from Iranian authorities regarding the claims. The developments come amid heightened tensions in the region, raising concerns over a further escalation between Israel and Iran.
