“The devil is dead,” that is the message opponents in Iran are spreading online, claiming that the widely reviled Basij commander held responsible for brutal crackdowns against protesters is no longer alive. Conflicting reports about his death have fueled confusion inside Iran as state and opposition media offer different versions of what happened.
Iranian sources report that Asadollah Badfar, commander of the paramilitary Basij force and widely feared for his role in violent crackdowns, is dead. Details of his death remain unclear, with contradictory reports fueling uncertainty.
Badfar directed Basij units during last January’s anti-government demonstrations in Tehran. Eyewitnesses and hospital reports describe heavily armed forces targeting protesters, including young men and women, while communications were cut across the city. The crackdown left dozens injured or dead, highlighting the group’s harsh tactics.
Iranian officials claim Badfar was killed in US-Israel airstrikes on Tuesday, while social media footage shows smoke rising from his residence. Israeli sources suggest he may have been executed internally by Basij or the Revolutionary Guard, citing funeral images that appeared a day earlier.
He is believed to have been among ten senior officials detained on charges of espionage and treason. Rapid executions within Basij and the Revolutionary Guard are historically used to maintain internal discipline. The organization continues to enforce strict social and political control, punishing civilians for minor infractions or perceived disrespect to authorities.
Analysts note the confusion reflects broader issues in Iran’s security apparatus and leaves observers debating whether Badfar’s death was internal retribution or a misreported casualty of the ongoing conflict.