Is Ali Shamkhani Alive? Conflicting Reports Surface Following Israeli Airstrikes on Iranian Military

The fate of Ali Shamkhani, a key advisor to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is the subject of conflicting reports. Initial reports indicated that Shamkhani was killed in an Israeli airstrike on June 13. However, Iranian media outlets now claim that he is alive and recovering from serious injuries. A message attributed to Shamkhani and disseminated by state-affiliated media states, “The victory is near. The name of Iran will shine in the heights of history as always,” which was addressed to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. This contradicts previous reports, including those regarding the deaths of other high-ranking Iranian military officials. Shamkhani held a significant position as Iran’s national security chief for ten years before transitioning to an advisory role for Khamenei in 2023. His influence spanned the Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) and the defense ministry, extending to foreign relations, where he gained recognition from Western officials. The alleged attack in which Shamkhani was injured was part of a broader wave of Israeli attacks. In response, Iran launched a series of ballistic missile strikes against Israel, causing casualties and injuries. The attacks have raised questions about the dynamics of the ongoing conflict.