Tehran / Jerusalem — In a stunning “decapitation strike” that has sent shockwaves through the region, Israel is claiming to have eliminated 40 senior Iranian military and political figures in under a minute, even as U.S. forces intensify their own barrage against Revolutionary Guard positions across Iran.

According to Israeli officials, a tightly choreographed salvo of air‑ and missile‑launched precision munitions struck a secure compound during a high‑level crisis meeting, wiping out key IRGC commanders, intelligence chiefs and senior regime strategists in a single, devastating blow.

Satellite images circulating online show a charred crater where the fortified complex once stood, with secondary explosions reportedly continuing for hours.

In Washington, the Pentagon announced that U.S. aircraft, drones and cruise missiles are “maintaining sustained pressure” on IRGC bases, missile depots and command centers, aiming to prevent any coherent counter‑strike after the leadership losses. Iranian state TV has gone dark on casualty figures, but images of frantic hospital scenes and heavily guarded funeral processions suggest a massive internal shock.

Tehran’s remaining power brokers are vowing “limitless revenge,” but analysts warn the regime’s command structure has been badly rattled.

With decision‑making fragmented, missiles still flying and U.S. and Israeli forces on high alert, the risk of uncontrolled escalation is now higher than at any point since the crisis began.