Iran has confirmed the deaths of several of its most senior military figures following coordinated airstrikes by the United States and Israel.
State television reported on Sunday that the Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, Abdolrahim Mousavi, was killed during the strikes. Also confirmed dead were Defence Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh, Revolutionary Guards commander Mohammad Pakpour, and senior official Ali Shamkhani.
According to state media, the officials were killed during a meeting of Iran’s Defence Council on Saturday. Authorities said additional names of those killed would be released later.
The announcement comes amid reports of celebrations by some Iranians both inside the country and abroad, following unconfirmed claims that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei had also been killed in the joint operation targeting key figures within Iran’s leadership and security structure.
Israel said it launched what it described as a pre-emptive strike aimed at neutralising threats linked to Tehran’s nuclear and missile programmes. The operation reportedly involved coordination with US forces and struck multiple sites across Iran. In Israel, air-raid sirens sounded as fears mounted over potential retaliatory action.
Explosions were reported in Tehran and other areas, with Iranian media acknowledging significant military activity. The escalation has dealt a major blow to recent diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran aimed at reviving negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme.
