Mohammad-Reza Zahedi

Military career Zahedi joined the IRGC at the age of 19 On 21 January 2006, he was appointed as the commander of the IRGC Ground Forces. This tenure lasted until his assassination by Israel in 2024. Iran's involvement in the Syrian Civil War on the side of the government of Bashar al-Assad has been a source of contention for Israel. Irani advisors and Iran-backed fighters have aided in tipping the balance in favor of Assad's government. According to Al Jazeera, Israeli media had frequently published images of him along with Saeed Izadi, a top Iranian military liaison to Palestinians who was initially rumored to have been killed in the same strike, as the main IRGC-Quds Force officials sought by the country. The strike caused "massive destruction" to the consulate building as well as damage to neighbouring buildings, including the Canadian embassy. After his death, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran condemned the attacks and said that the country reserves the right to execute a "decisive response" against the "aggressors" behind the airstrike, though the Israeli government avoided issuing any statements claiming responsibility.

Retaliation On 13 April 2024, Iran launched hundreds of drones and ballistic missiles at Israel; the Israeli government stated that it intercepted 99% of the Iranian projectiles, but the attack critically injured a child. On 19 April 2024, Israel attacked an Iranian air defense system in response to the drone and missile barrage a week prior.