IDF spokesperson Effie Defrin announced on Sunday morning that the Air Force eliminated approximately 40 key Iranian military commanders within one minute in the opening strike of Operation Roaring Lion—a historic blow made possible by precise military intelligence.

In addition, the IDF destroyed dozens of air-defense systems in western and central Iran, paving the way toward establishing aerial superiority over Tehran.

Defrin also confirmed that one of the military commanders who was eliminated was Abdolrahim Mousavi, who served as Chief of Staff of Iran’s armed forces.

Mousavi, one of Iran’s most senior military commanders, replaced Mohammad Bagheri, the previous Chief of Staff, who was eliminated in the opening strike of Operation Rising Lion in June 2025.

Mousavi was responsible for managing Iran’s security apparatus and oversaw the firing of hundreds of ballistic missiles launched toward Israel, which killed Israeli civilians during the operation, the IDF spokesperson said.

(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)