Tehran/Jerusalem: According to Iranian media reports, Ali Shamkhani, a top advisor to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and former head of the National Security Council, passed away on Friday in a Tehran hospital.
The incident comes at a time when Israel has conducted airstrikes on several strategic locations inside Iran. The attacks began a day earlier, on Thursday. Shamkhani’s death has stirred political circles, though officials have not yet clarified whether his demise is directly linked to the Israeli strikes. The Iranian news agency "Noor News" only reported that he had been unwell for some time and died on Friday morning.
Ali Shamkhani: A Strategic Pillar
The 68-year-old Ali Shamkhani was considered a key figure in Iran’s political and security framework.
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He served as Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council from 2013 to 2023.
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During the Iran-Iraq War, he commanded the Navy.
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He played a crucial role in the China-mediated reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran in 2023.
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Until recently, he was Khamenei’s personal military-strategic advisor.
The timing of his death raises questions, as he was one of Iran’s most experienced strategists, and his role in the current crisis was deemed extremely significant.