IDF Spokesperson Brigadier General Effie Defrin delivered a special live address to the Israeli public Sunday, revealing the scope of the operation's opening salvo against Iran's military leadership.
"40 central commanders were eliminated in one minute: a historic blow made possible by precise Military Intelligence," Defrin stated.
Among those killed was Abd al-Rahim Mousavi, Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces. Defrin confirmed that Mousavi was eliminated alongside seven senior figures from Iran's security leadership, who were targeted while gathered at several locations in Tehran. Mousavi had previously served as the replacement for Mohammad Hossein Bagheri, Iran's prior Chief of Staff, who was eliminated during the opening strike of "Operation Rising Lion" in June 2025. According to the IDF, Mousavi was responsible for overseeing Iran's defense apparatus and commanded the firing of hundreds of ballistic missiles at Israeli territory during that operation, killing Israeli civilians.
