Israeli Strike Reportedly Kills Iran’s Defence Minister and IRGC Chief, Escalating Regional Tensions

Iran’s Defence Minister Amir Nasirzadeh and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander Mohammed Pakpour are believed to have been killed in an Israeli strike, according to sources familiar with Israel’s military operations and a regional source cited by Reuters. Nasirzadeh, a former fighter pilot, had previously served as Deputy Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces before assuming the defence portfolio. Pakpour had taken command of the IRGC in 2025 following the death of his predecessor, Hossein Salami, who was also reportedly killed in earlier Israeli strikes.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi condemned the attacks, alleging that an Israeli strike hit a primary school for girls in southern Iran, killing dozens of children. In a post on X, Araghchi described the bombing as a crime against civilians and vowed retaliation, stating that the attack occurred in broad daylight while the school was full of students. He also referenced an old social media post by former U.S. President Donald Trump from 2012 that discussed potential military action against Iran.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) earlier announced a joint operation with U.S. forces, dubbed “Operation Roaring Lion,” aimed at degrading what it described as threats posed by Iran and its regional proxies. The announcement intensified fears of a wider conflict, as Iran reportedly retaliated by targeting Israeli and U.S. assets in several Gulf states. Explosions were reported in Tehran and other parts of Iran, while multiple countries urged restraint and de-escalation amid growing concerns that the confrontation could destabilize the wider Middle East.

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