Israeli Defense Minister Claims Airstrike Killed IRGC Navy Commander

Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz announced that an Israeli airstrike killed Alireza Tangsiri, commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy, along with other senior naval command officers.

Katz made the claim in a video message, stating the operation occurred "last night" and was "precise and deadly." He accused Tangsiri of being "directly responsible for the terrorist operation of mine-laying and blocking the Strait of Hormuz for shipping."

The announcement comes amid an ongoing joint U.S.-Israel war against Iran that began on February 28. Israel has claimed responsibility for assassinating several senior Iranian officials since then, including Ali Khamenei, a powerful security figure and leader; former parliament speaker Ali Larijani; Basij forces head Brigadier General Gholamreza Soleimani; and Intelligence Minister Ismail Khatib.

Tohid Asadi, Al Jazeera's correspondent in Tehran, said there has been no official confirmation from Iran regarding Tangsiri's death. Asadi noted that if true, it would represent "another big blow" for Iran, which has lost numerous military commanders since the war started.

In recent days, Israeli forces have conducted several attacks on Iranian maritime assets. Last week, Israeli airstrikes targeted Iranian Navy ships in the Caspian Sea, including missile-equipped vessels, support ships and patrol boats.