Iran has confirmed the deaths of its Defence Minister, Aziz Nasirzadeh, and Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, Abdulrahim Mousavi, following coordinated airstrikes reportedly carried out by the United States and Israel.
Iranian state television announced on Sunday that the senior military officials were killed alongside several top commanders during strikes that targeted key leadership structures in the country.
According to the report, those killed include Revolutionary Guards commander Mohammad Pakpour and Defence Council head Ali Shamkhani, who were said to have died during a Defence Council meeting hit by the attacks. Authorities added that additional casualties may be announced later.
The confirmation follows widespread reports of explosions across Tehran and other strategic locations after Israel declared it had launched what it described as a pre-emptive military operation against Iran.
Israeli officials said the strikes were aimed at neutralising threats linked to Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programmes. The operation was reportedly conducted with coordination from United States forces.
Meanwhile, air-raid sirens were activated across parts of Israel amid fears of possible retaliatory action from Iran.
Reports circulating on social media also claimed that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, may have been killed in the strikes, though Iranian authorities have yet to officially confirm those claims.
The military escalation has effectively disrupted recent diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran aimed at reviving negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme, raising fresh concerns about a broader regional conflict.
