Iran on Monday confirmed that an Israeli airstrike killed Alireza Tangsiri, the commander of the naval arm of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, whom Israel accused of overseeing operations to block the Strait of Hormuz.
In a statement published on its Sepah News website, the Guards said Tangsiri “succumbed to severe injuries” sustained in last week’s strike.
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, who assumed power following the killing of his father, Ali Khamenei, in US-Israeli strikes on February 28, expressed condolences in a message on Telegram. He praised Tangsiri as “a soldier of Iran and guardian of Islam” during the ongoing war.
Tangsiri’s funeral is scheduled for Tuesday in the southern port city of Bandar Abbas.
Israel’s Defence Minister, Israel Katz, had earlier announced the killing, describing Tangsiri as “directly responsible” for mining and obstructing the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
Since the conflict began nearly two months ago, Iran has restricted maritime traffic through the vital waterway, contributing to a surge in global energy prices.
The IRGC said Tangsiri was coordinating coastal defence operations at the time of the strike and vowed retaliation, declaring it would not rest “until the enemy is completely destroyed.”
He is the latest senior Iranian figure confirmed killed in the war. Tehran has previously acknowledged the deaths of several high-ranking officials, including former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and senior security figure Ali Larijani.
Katz said other senior naval officers were also killed in the same strike, though details were not disclosed.
A veteran of the Iran-Iraq War, Tangsiri was among the longest-serving commanders in the Guards. He was appointed in 2018 to lead its naval forces, tasked with safeguarding Iran’s territorial waters and strategic interests.
Under his leadership, the IRGC Navy expanded its capabilities and was linked to several high-profile seizures of foreign vessels in recent years. He was sanctioned by the United States in 2019 under counterterrorism measures.
While Israel and the United States say the killings of top officials have dealt a significant blow to Iran, analysts note that the Islamic Republic continues to demonstrate resilience despite mounting losses.
