Saleh Asadi

Sardar
Saleh Asadi
صالح اسدی
Asadi in an undated photo
Born(1963-11-26)26 November 1963
Shiraz, Pahlavi Iran
Died(2026-02-28)28 February 2026
Tehran, Iran
Cause of death
Assassination by Airstrike
RelativesMohammad Jafar Asadi (Brother)
Military career
Allegiance Iran
Branch
 Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps
Service years
1979–2026
Rank
CommandsDeputy for Intelligence and Security of the General Staff of the Armed Forces (2025–2026)
Deputy for intelligence of the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters (2018–2025)
Deputy for Intelligence of the IRGC Ground Forces (2013–2018)
Conflicts

Mohammad Saleh Asadi (Persian: محمدصالح اسدی; 26 November 1963 – 28 February 2026) was an Iranian military intelligence officer who served as head of the intelligence department at the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, Iran's military emergency command, and as a senior intelligence officer in the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

He was killed on 28 February 2026, during joint Israeli–United States airstrikes on Iran that targeted senior Iranian leadership in Tehran. At the time of his death, Asadi was regarded as the most senior military intelligence official in the Islamic Republic's armed forces. Israeli sources described him as involved in shaping Iran's strategic approach toward Israel and the United States.

Career

Asadi served as the head of intelligence for the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, Iran's military emergency command. In this capacity, he was responsible for intelligence operations within the structure, which coordinated responses during national emergencies. He also acted as a senior intelligence officer within the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Israeli sources stated that Asadi played a role in shaping Iran's strategic posture toward Israel and the United States. The Israel Defense Forces further stated that he was involved in plans related to regional conflicts, including those targeting Israel.

Assassination

Asadi was killed on 28 February 2026 during joint Israeli–United States airstrikes on Tehran. The strikes targeted an Iranian Defence Council meeting of senior Iranian security officials, resulting in multiple high-profile deaths. The meeting was reportedly intended to reach a final decision on the development of a nuclear weapon. His successors, Abdollah Jalali-Nasab and Amir Shariat, were assassinated by Israel two weeks later.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "IDF confirms killing top Iranian leaders, including top defense official Ali Shamkhani". The Times of Israel. 28 February 2026. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Israeli military lists senior Iranian officials killed in airstrikes". Iran International. 28 February 2026. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
  3. ↑ "The US and Israel have struck Iran: Who has been killed?". ABC News. 1 March 2026. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
  4. 1 2 3 "52 senior Iranian officials and commanders killed in US and Israeli attacks". Iran International. Retrieved 12 April 2026.
  5. 1 2 "Iran's chain of command shattered as Israeli strikes kill senior security chiefs". Calcalistech. 1 March 2026. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
  6. ↑ "Which top Iranian officials have been killed in US-Israel war?". The New Arab. 1 March 2026. Archived from the original on 6 March 2026. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
  7. ↑ "Who are the senior Iranian officials reportedly killed in US-Israeli strikes on Iran?". L'Orient Today. 1 March 2026. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
  8. ↑ Samuel Granados (28 February 2026). "See a Breakdown of Ayatollah Khamenei and Other Top Iranian Leaders". The New York Times. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
  9. ↑ "Seven Iranian military officials killed, Israel Defense Forces say". Ukrayinska Pravda. 1 March 2026. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
  10. ↑ Fabian, Emanuel (14 March 2026). "IDF says 2 senior Iranian intel officers killed in Tehran airstrike". The Times of Israel. ISSN 0040-7909. Retrieved 15 March 2026.