Tel Aviv, Israel – In a security development that represents the most serious escalation in the ongoing confrontation, the Israeli military announced in an official statement the killing of several senior officials in the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence during concentrated airstrikes targeting the capital, Tehran, last Saturday.
This operation comes as part of the “opening strike” phase of what the Israeli military has dubbed “Operation Visiting Lion.”
Eliminating the masterminds behind foreign operations
The Israeli military spokesperson confirmed that the strike was based on highly precise intelligence, resulting in the elimination of Seyyed Yahya Hamidi, the Deputy Minister of Intelligence for Israeli Affairs. Hamidi was a prominent security figure in the Iranian regime, responsible for leading and directing terrorist activities targeting Jewish and Western targets, as well as pursuing and assassinating regime opponents both inside and outside Iran.
The announced list also included the elimination of Jalal Pourhossein, head of the Intelligence Ministry’s espionage department, along with a number of senior officials involved in managing cross-border espionage networks and sabotage activities. Observers believe that the absence of these names represents a significant blow to Tehran’s ability to plan foreign security operations in the near future.
Destruction of the Ministry of Intelligence’s infrastructure
The operation was not limited to physical assassinations, but extended to the leadership infrastructure; the statement confirmed that Israeli Air Force fighter jets directly bombed the headquarters of the Ministry of Intelligence in the heart of Tehran.
This targeting aimed to cripple the regime’s ability to coordinate information and manage crises, and to destroy vital communication and data centers belonging to Iran’s most sensitive security apparatus.
strategic deterrence message
Operation “Visiting Lion” reflects the extent of Israeli intelligence penetration into the Iranian heartland, and the air force’s ability to strike high-value targets within the security zone of the capital.
The Israeli military concluded its statement by asserting that the killing of these officials “dealt a severe blow to the regime’s ability to carry out terrorist attacks and target dissidents,”
emphasizing that operations will continue until the strategic objectives set to deter Iranian threats are achieved.
