Senior Iranian military official killed days after appointment
“Continue to track them all down,” the Israeli Defense Minister said during the meeting, according to a statement from his office
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz was informed Sunday that Israeli forces had eliminated Abu al-Qassem Babayian, who had recently been appointed head of the military bureau serving Iran’s Supreme Leader, according to Israeli officials.
Authorities said Babayian was killed only days after assuming the position, which he took following the death of his predecessor during the opening strikes of the current conflict between Israel and Iran.
The update was delivered during a security assessment meeting held at Israel’s defense headquarters in Tel Aviv. The meeting included Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, Defense Ministry Director General Amir Baram, and senior security officials, including Military Intelligence chief Shlomi Binder, as well as representatives from the Mossad and the Shin Bet.
According to Israeli officials, Babayian had been appointed to lead the Iranian Supreme Leader’s military office only a few days earlier after his predecessor was killed during the initial phase of the war.
In a statement, Katz welcomed the operation and praised the Israeli military for what he described as an “important success.” He also urged security forces to continue targeting Iranian officials involved in military activities directed against Israel.
“Continue to track them all down,” the minister said during the meeting, according to a statement from his office.