Israel-Iran Tensions Escalate: Iran Strikes Mossad HQ After Assassination of Ali Shadmani
New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu) : Tensions in the Middle East have erupted into direct military confrontation as Israel eliminated one of Iran’s top military figures, Ali Shadmani, in a precision airstrike by the Israeli Air Force (IAF) in the heart of Tehran. Shadmani, known as a key aide to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the wartime Chief of Staff, was a major figure in Iran’s strategic military planning. The strike, which took place early Tuesday, was carried out based on accurate and actionable intelligence, according to Israeli military sources. In response, Iran launched a major retaliatory strike, reportedly targeting the headquarters of the Israeli intelligence agency Mossad. This marks a dangerous new chapter in what is fast becoming a direct military conflict between the two regional powers.
Ali Shadmani Assassinated in Central Tehran
Shadmani's assassination is being described as a significant blow to Iran’s military leadership, especially amid the rising geopolitical tensions following months of proxy conflict through militias in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, and Yemen. According to sources in Tehran, Israeli fighter jets breached Iranian airspace and struck a secure military facility in central Tehran. The strike resulted in the death of General Ali Shadmani and several members of his close security detail. Visuals released by the Iranian Red Crescent show rescue teams sifting through rubble and debris as buildings sustained major structural damage. Iranian state media has confirmed the incident, calling it a "cowardly act of war" and vowing severe retaliation.
Iran Retaliates: Mossad HQ Reportedly Targeted
Just hours after Shadmani's assassination, Iranian forces launched missile strikes targeting what they claim is Mossad’s regional headquarters, though the exact location has not yet been officially disclosed by Israeli authorities. Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued a statement saying:
"This was a legitimate and proportional response to the assassination of a senior military leader. The Zionist regime will face the consequences of its continued aggression." Unverified footage circulating on social media shows plumes of smoke rising in a classified zone believed to be in northern Israel. While Israel has not officially acknowledged the attack on Mossad’s base, military alerts and counter-strike preparations are visibly underway across the country.
Day 5 of Cross-Border Strikes
June 17 marked the fifth consecutive day of missile and drone exchanges between the two nations. According to a statement by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), Israeli jets have also carried out additional strikes on missile launchers, drone bases, and weapons depots in western Iran, including key infrastructure linked to the IRGC’s aerospace division.
Global Reactions and Evacuations
India Issues Travel Advisory, Sets Up Emergency Helpline The Indian Embassy in Tehran has issued an urgent advisory to all Indian nationals, asking them to immediately evacuate the capital city and move to safer regions or return to India at the earliest opportunity. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has activated a 24x7 emergency control room to assist Indian citizens in distress. "In light of the escalating situation between Israel and Iran, Indian nationals in Iran are advised to exercise extreme caution, avoid non-essential travel, and stay in touch with the embassy," the advisory stated.
UN, US, and EU Urge De-escalation
The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has appealed for immediate de-escalation, warning that the region is "on the brink of a full-scale war" that could spill over and destabilize the entire Middle East. The United States and European Union have also called for restraint, though sources suggest both nations are preparing for possible broader engagements in the Gulf region.
What’s at Stake?
Ali Shadmani’s death is being seen as the most significant targeted killing in Iran since General Qasem Soleimani was assassinated in 2020. With Iran’s retaliation now directly striking at Israel's intelligence backbone, analysts fear that a larger regional war may be imminent—one that may draw in Lebanon’s Hezbollah, Yemen’s Houthis, and even US forces stationed in the region.