Reports from Tehran indicate that two members of the Iranian regular military were killed in an Israeli airstrike last night, with sources describing a targeted strike on an industrial warehouse in Shamsabad, south of Tehran. The Iranian Army identified the fallen soldiers as Major Hamza Jahandideh and Warrant Officer Mohammad Mahdi Shaharkhifar, both members of Iran’s air defense forces within the country’s Artesh (ارتش) regular military, distinct from the IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps).
Israeli sources claim the targeted building was part of a drone assembly operation linked to the Iranian military. However, local sources report that the facility, part of Shamsabad Industrial City, is linked to a company specializing in mining, drilling, and agricultural equipment, suggesting a significant disconnect in intelligence or intent behind the strike.
Following the incident, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz urged restraint and warned against further escalation. Scholz revealed that Israel had informed Germany of the “precise and targeted” nature of its operation, emphasizing efforts to minimize casualties. “This offers the opportunity to avoid further escalation,” Scholz posted on X, urging Iran to cease retaliatory actions. He also called for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages, extending his plea to Lebanon and urging Hezbollah to withdraw behind the Litani River as per UN Resolution 1701.
Russia also expressed alarm over the situation, warning of the potential for an “explosive escalation.” Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova called for “all parties involved to exercise restraint” to prevent further deterioration into a catastrophic conflict. Reports suggest Russia had alerted Iran hours before the strikes, although the level of detail and Iran’s response remain unclear.
In Tehran, political figures responded strongly to the attack. Esmail Kowsari, an ultraconservative MP and former IRGC general, vowed that Iran’s armed forces would “respond to Israel with greater determination, strength, and resolve,” though he noted the timing of this response would be strategic.
