By: Web Desk on June 21st 2025.
Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed this weekend the targeted killing of Brigadier General Amin Pour Joudaki, newly appointed commander of IRGC’s Second Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Brigade near Ahvaz in southwestern Iran by airstrike.
An IDF statement released Friday night claimed the operation, carried out late Friday night, successfully eliminated Joudaki. According to this claim, he had been orchestrating drone attacks into Israeli airspace from Ahvaz region with hundreds of UAV launches from Ahvaz region reportedly happening simultaneously as stated. (Sources for these claims included Apnews.com; Aa.com.tr and Report.az).
Israeli officials noted the strike as a direct response to Joudaki’s drone campaign orchestrated by his brigade, while Anadolu Agency reported his death due to an airstrike “which killed Amin Pour Joudaki, commander of the Second Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Brigade of IRGC Air Force”
Wsj.com
Aa.com.tr @ ReportAZ
Report.az notes that Taher Pour’s appointment comes shortly after his murder on June 13 – further evidence of Israel’s campaign against IRGC drone leadership, according to TimesofIsrael and other publications (Report.az +4, Aa.com.tr +4)
Assassination was part of Israel’s Operation Rising Lion campaign aimed at Iran’s military and nuclear infrastructure. Recent days have seen Israel kill numerous senior IRGC commanders-including Chief of Staff Ali Shadmani and Aerospace Force Commander Amir Ali Hajizadeh-along with missile launchers and weapons depots (Wikipedia.org +15 and AAP News +15 respectively).
Israeli jets also destroyed three surface-to-surface missile launchers that were allegedly set to strike Israel overnight, as part of an accompanying strike escalation. One strike is said to have targeted an Iranian soldiers cell – including its senior commander overseeing 15 launchers – which would otherwise launch their attack, eliminating it before proceeding with it, according to various news accounts (Newarab.com/Wsj/Hindustantimes etc).
Iran has not commented directly on the killing of Joudaki; however, its intelligence apparatus is on high alert and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is believed to be sheltering in a bunker near Tehran as high-profile killings fuel internal paranoia and distrust (Hindustan Times.com / The Times (UK & Ireland), Aa.com (Turkey), Hindustantimes.com. (in Arabic only)).
Iran has launched missiles and drones toward Israel in retaliation, leading to civilian casualties while appearing to lack strategic impact.
Security analysts interpret Israel’s strategy as an attempt to dismantle Iran’s drone offensive and reduce its long-range strike capability. By targeting successive commanders of UAV brigades, Israel sidesteps deeper air campaigns by opting for selective removal of adversarial leaders.
However, this campaign raises serious fears of further escalation. Iran’s retaliatory strikes–though less effective–are an indicator of possible on-going military actions between both nations. Israel has warned Hezbollah and other regional actors against joining in as further escalation could draw in additional parties into conflict.
As diplomacy falters and conflict escalates covertly, Iran’s removal of its drone commander represents a critical blow to their UAV operations; yet their shifting leadership within IRGC drone units reveals resilience and renewed hope. But observers warn both sides risk crossing thresholds that could spark wider regional conflict.