Israeli airstrikes have killed Major General Mohammad Bagheri, Iran’s top military officer, according to Iranian state media.

He is the second senior Iranian figure reportedly killed in the unprecedented attack, following earlier reports of General Hossein Salami’s death.

Israel executed a “deception operation” to mislead both Iranian leadership and the public, according to an Israeli official.

The plan involved secret coordination and strategic media manipulation, CNN has reported.

Despite this, U.S. media began reporting imminent Israeli action on Thursday, following warnings from U.S. intelligence and precautionary moves by the State Department.

Written by B.C. Begley