Amir Ali Hajizadeh, the commander of the Aerospace Division of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), was honored for his role in the attack on Israel last month.
The ceremony saw Hajizadeh awarded the first Ferdowsi International Medal in the category of “epic-making” for his role in the April 13 assault, Iran’s first direct attack on its archenemy.
The Ferdowsi National Medal, given by the Ferdowsi Foundation, recognizes significant contributions across scientific, cultural, artistic, and political domains, honoring both Iranians and non-Iranians. The event coincides with Ferdowsi National Commemoration Day, honoring the Persian poet known for the epic poem “Shahnameh” (The Book of Kings), a cornerstone of Persian literature.
On April 13, dubbed Operation True Promise by Iran, an assault was launched against Israel, involving approximately 170 drones, 120 surface-to-surface ballistic missiles, and 30 cruise missiles. Supported by a US-led coalition, most of the assault was intercepted.
The offensive was allegedly in retaliation for an earlier Israeli airstrike on an Iranian consulate facility in Damascus, which killed seven IRGC officers including two senior commanders.
Israel responded on April 18 with a precise airstrike near Isfahan, targeting military installations. The action was aimed at reinforcing Israel’s deterrence capabilities while avoiding further escalation of the conflict.
While the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) successfully intercepted nearly all incoming projectiles, Iran hailed the operation as a major triumph, asserting it had inflicted significant damage on its arch enemy.
