IDF
Middle East crisis: IDF claims top Basij spy chief killed in bold Tehran strike
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Friday said that Esmail Ahmadi, head of the Intelligence Division of the Basij Force, has been killed.
“ELIMINATED: Esmail Ahmadi, Head of the Intelligence Division of the Basij Force, along with several other senior commanders, in a strike targeting the group’s leadership in the heart of Tehran,” the Israel Defense Forces said in a post on X.
🔴ELIMINATED: Esmail Ahmadi, Head of the Intelligence Division of the Basij Force, as well as several other senior commanders in a strike on the senior leadership of the Basij Force in the heart of Tehran.
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) March 20, 2026
Ahmadi played a central role in advancing and executing terror attacks… pic.twitter.com/M9mwVmlvH7
According to the IDF, Ahmadi played a central role in planning and executing attacks carried out by Basij forces.
“He was also responsible for enforcing public order and the regime’s values on behalf of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and for leading major suppression operations during recent internal protests in Iran,” the statement said.
In a separate post, the IDF said Mehdi Rastami Sh’mastan, a key commander in Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence, was also killed.
🔴ELIMINATED: Mehdi Rastami Sh'mastan, a key commander in the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence.
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) March 20, 2026
Sh'mastan was a key figure in promoting terrorist activities and attacks against Israeli and Jewish civilians around the world.
The Ministry of Intelligence is the Iranian terror…
“Sh’mastan was a central figure in promoting terrorist activities and orchestrating attacks against Israeli and Jewish civilians worldwide,” the statement added.
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