Tel Aviv

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have confirmed the killing of senior leadership within Iran’s naval command structure, including the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy.

In a video statement, Netanyahu said Israel would continue its offensive against what he described as the Iranian regime’s military network. “We continue to forcefully strike the targets of the Iranian terrorist regime,” he said, underscoring the ongoing campaign.

The IDF identified the slain commander as Ali Reza Tangsiri, who had led the IRGC Navy for nearly eight years. According to Israeli officials, he played a central role in directing maritime operations in the Gulf region, including alleged attacks on oil tankers and commercial vessels.

The strike reportedly took place in Bandar Abbas, a key strategic port along the Strait of Hormuz. Israeli military sources said the operation was carried out by the Air Force based on precise intelligence inputs from multiple agencies, including naval and military intelligence units.

Alongside Tangsiri, Israel also claimed to have eliminated Hanam Rezaei, described as a senior intelligence official responsible for coordinating maritime intelligence operations and regional surveillance.

Netanyahu highlighted the broader geopolitical dimension of the operation, noting cooperation with the United States. “This is yet another example of the cooperation between us and our friend, the United States, toward the common goal of achieving the objectives of the war,” he said.

Israeli officials accused Tangsiri of orchestrating activities that threatened global trade routes, particularly in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant portion of the world’s oil supply passes. They also alleged his involvement in attempts to disrupt maritime navigation and international commerce.

The IDF described the operation as part of a broader campaign targeting Iranian military leadership, stating that multiple senior commanders have been eliminated in recent strikes. According to Israeli authorities, these actions aim to weaken Iran’s command-and-control capabilities and limit its operational reach in the region.

There has been no immediate official confirmation or response from Iranian authorities regarding the reported killings.

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The development marks a significant escalation in the ongoing tensions in West Asia, with potential implications for regional stability and global energy markets, particularly given the strategic importance of maritime routes in the Gulf region.