The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) conducted a series of airstrikes on three airports in Tehran overnight on Sunday, targeting Iranian military capabilities. The strikes hit Bahram Airport, Mehrabad Airport, and Azmayesh Airport, with the IDF stating the attacks aimed to degrade the Iranian Air Force and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Air Force. Mehrabad Airport, previously targeted during Operation Roaring Lion, was identified as a hub for the IRGC’s Quds Force, which arms and finances terrorist proxies in the Middle East.
In separate strikes, the IDF confirmed the deaths of two senior IRGC Quds Force officials. Kamil Melhem, the artillery commander of the Imam Hussein Division, was killed in one strike. The division is accused of strengthening the 'Axis of Resistance' and executing terror attacks against Israel. Melhem oversaw artillery launches targeting Israel and was involved in weapons procurement for the Iranian regime. Several other senior aides to Division Commander Yahya Hussein were also killed.
Additionally, the IDF announced the death of Majid Khademi, the head of the IRGC’s intelligence organization. Khademi was described as a key figure in advancing terrorist attacks worldwide and suppressing internal protests in Iran. The IRGC confirmed his death, calling it a 'martyrdom' in a Telegram post. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that the strikes were part of a broader campaign to eliminate Iranian leaders and degrade the regime’s capabilities. Katz also claimed that Israel had severely damaged Iran’s steel and petrochemical industries.
The IRGC’s Telegram post described Khademi as a 'powerful and educated' leader who had contributed significantly to the regime’s intelligence and security efforts. The IRGC intelligence organization is known for its vast powers within Iran, including the detention of Western nationals and extraterritorial operations. Khademi’s death follows the killing of several other high-ranking Iranian officials, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed on February 28. His successor, Mojtaba Khamenei, is reportedly nursing war-related injuries.
The IDF also confirmed the death of Asghar Bagheri, the commander of the IRGC’s Special Operations Unit 840, which is responsible for global terror operations. Bagheri was accused of planning attacks within Israel, Syria, and Lebanon, as well as facilitating the transfer of Iranian weapons to agents operating in Israeli territory. The IDF stated that Khademi’s death and the strikes on Unit 840 would reduce Iran’s ability to project terror globally and suppress domestic protests.
The strikes come amid ongoing tensions between Israel, the U.S., and Iran, following the start of military operations on February 28. The conflict has led to the deaths of several top Iranian leaders and has sparked retaliatory actions from Iran.