Davoud Sheikhian

Davoud Sheikhian (Persian: داوود شیخیان; died 13 June 2025) was an Iranian military officer and Brigadier General in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). He served as the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Force air defense command[1] and was regarded as a central figure in Iran's air defense operations. Sheikhian was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Tehran in June 2025.[2]

Early life and career

Davoud Sheikhian joined the IRGC at a very early stage of his career. He climbed up the ranks in the field of air defense and aerospace systems. His skills and leadership made him an important planner in building Iran's defense system, earning him his role as head of the IRGC's Air Defense Division.

As the head of the IRGC's Air Defense Division, Sheikhian was in charge of building and managing Iran's air defense systems. This included missiles that could target aircraft, radar systems, and anti-aircraft weapons. He helped improve teamwork between the IRGC Aerospace Force and Iran's regular army (Artesh), especially to defend against enemy planes and drones.

Sheikhian supported the idea of developing air defense technology inside Iran. He played a key role in putting together a layered defense system, which used both Iranian-made systems like the Khordad-15 and Bavar-373, and foreign made ones like the Russian S-300 PMU-2.[3]

Death

On 13 June 2025, Sheikhian was killed during the Iran–Israel war in an Israeli Air Force airstrike on a meeting of Aerospace Force commanders in Tehran.[4] On June 15, Iran's state media confirmed his death.[5] His death was one of the biggest losses for Iran's military leaders in recent years and increased tensions between Iran and Israel. His funeral was held on 28 June 2025 alongside other commanders and scientists killed during the war.[6]

See also

References

  1. ^ Darabi, Mojtaba (13 June 2025). "IRGC Aerospace Air Defense Commander Gen. Sheikhian Martyred in Israeli Airstrike". iranpress.com. Archived from the original on 2025-07-09.
  2. ^ "IRGC Aerospace Force official martyred in Israeli strikes". Tehran Times. 13 June 2025. Archived from the original on 2025-06-18.
  3. ^ "Iran Denies Interest in russian S-400, Cites Superior Domestic Air Defense Systems: Which Ones?". Defence Express. November 19, 2024.
  4. ^ "Iran lists head of missile program, 7 deputies killed in Israeli strike". Associated Press. 15 June 2025. Archived from the original on 2025-07-03.
  5. ^ "Iran confirms deaths of 8 more senior commanders in Israeli attacks". Xinhua News Agency. 15 June 2025. Archived from the original on 2025-07-02.
  6. ^ [Iran holds state funeral for top commanders, scientists killed by Israel "Iran holds state funeral for top commanders, scientists killed by Israel"]. Aljazeera. 28 June 2025. Retrieved 20 August 2025. {{cite news}}: Check |url= value (help)
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