Terror organization: Quds Force

Status: The deputy commander of the IRGC for operations.

Role: Nilforoushan began his military activities in the 1980s joining the Basij and later the IRGC, holding various positions including Deputy Commander of the IRGC Ground Forces for Operations.

He is mentioned in the Irani media as a “key figure” with extensive battlefield experience who played a crucial role in supporting the “Resistance Axis, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and Palestinian resistance groups,” helping to strengthen their capabilities against Israel.

During the Iran-Iraq War, he served in various positions in the 14th Imam Hossein Division and the 8th Najaf Ashraf Armored Division, including platoon commander, company commander, battalion commander, axis commander, and deputy operations commander of the 8th Najaf Division under the command of Ahmad Kazemi.

Previously, his military career included positions such as deputy operations commander of the IRGC Ground Forces, commander of the IRGC Command and Staff College, deputy to the IRGC Commander-in-Chief at the Imam Hussein Headquarters, executive deputy of the IRGC, and deputy operations commander of the IRGC during Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Zahedi’s tenure. He has been serving as the deputy operations commander of the IRGC since 2019. He also had 5 years of experience in Lebanon and Syria on his resume.

Nilforoushan served as the Deputy of Operations for the IRGC Ground Forces from 2005 to 2007. Between 2010 and 2014, he worked as the commander of the IRGC Command and Staff College, and since 2019, he has been the Deputy of Operations for the IRGC. On October 26, 2022, the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Department of State jointly sanctioned Nilforoushan for his role in suppressing protests in Iran.

Following the elimination of IRGC General Mohammad Reza Zahedi in an Israeli attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus in April 2024, Nilforoushan assumed command of the Lebanon front.

Nilforoushan was killed in an Israeli attack on a meeting between Nasrallah, top Hezbollah members, and IRGC commanders.

Location: Iran/Lebanon

Born: 1966 Isfahan, Iran

Died: 27 September 2024 (aged 57–58) Beirut, Lebanon

Cause of death: Assassination by airstrike

Allegiance: Iran

Service/branch: Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps

Years of service: 1980–2024

Rank: Brigadier general