The intensifying military campaign against Tehran has reportedly claimed another senior figure in Iran’s defence establishment, further deepening instability within the country’s command structure.
According to a March 3, 2026 report by The Times of Israel, Israeli Channel 12 disclosed that Revolutionary Guards General Majid Ebnelreza, appointed just a day earlier as Iran’s interim defence minister, was killed during ongoing joint military operations conducted by Israel and the United States.
Ebnelreza had been named acting defense minister on March 2 by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, following the death of his predecessor, Aziz Nasirzadeh. Nasirzadeh was reportedly killed in a combined U.S.-Israeli airstrike on February 28 that targeted high-ranking Iranian officials, marking a major escalation in the confrontation between Tehran and Washington’s regional ally.
The rapid succession of deaths at the top of Iran’s defense hierarchy underscores the precision and intensity of the current air campaign. Within days, two successive defense ministers have been eliminated, raising serious questions about continuity of command inside Iran’s military apparatus.
Analysts warn that the systematic targeting of senior defense officials could significantly disrupt operational planning and strategic coordination at a critical moment in the broader Middle East conflict. With leadership gaps widening, Tehran now faces mounting pressure to stabilize its command structure while under sustained military strain.
The developments highlight not only the escalating scope of U.S.-Israeli operations but also the growing vulnerability of Iran’s upper military echelon as hostilities continue to reshape the regional balance of power.
