The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that Seyed Yahya Hamidi, Iran's deputy minister of intelligence responsible for Israel-related affairs, was killed in the opening strike of the campaign on 28/2.

According to the IDF, Hamidi directed attacks against Jews, Westerners, and "opponents of the regime in Iran and abroad".

The Israeli military struck a building in central Tehran in a video released on 1/3. Video: IDF

Jalal Pour Hossein, the head of the counter-intelligence unit within Iran's Ministry of Intelligence, along with several other senior intelligence officials, were also killed in the strike, according to the IDF. Iran has not commented on this information.

The Israeli military stated that the elimination of the Ministry of Intelligence leadership had "dealt a heavy blow" to Iran's ability to promote attacks. They added that the Israeli air force also bombed the headquarters of Iran's Ministry of Intelligence in Tehran on 1/3.

According to the IDF, Iran's Ministry of Intelligence, which is currently under US sanctions, is "Iran's central intelligence agency, possessing the country's most advanced capabilities and operating under the direct command of the Supreme Leader".

Senior officials in Iran's power structure. Graphic: RYV

The Israeli military stated they seized documents in Gaza during the conflict, revealing efforts by Iran's Ministry of Intelligence to establish a joint intelligence operational base among Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

The US and Israeli militaries launched a strike campaign against Iran on the morning of 28/2, targeting defense and intelligence facilities, as well as numerous senior officials and generals. Iran subsequently announced a retaliatory campaign targeting Israeli territory, as well as several US bases in various Middle Eastern countries.

Thanh Tam (According to Times of Israel, Reuters)