Tehran/Jerusalem: A senior spokesperson of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has been killed in ongoing strikes attributed to the United States and Israel, as tensions in the region continue to escalate.
According to the IRGC, spokesman Ali Mohammad Naini was killed in what it described as a “cowardly terrorist attack” carried out at dawn by American and Israeli forces. The statement was published on the Guards’ official Sepah News platform.
Iranian state media confirmed the death, noting that Naini had been serving as the IRGC’s spokesperson since 2024. There has been no immediate response from either the United States or Israel.
Earlier in the day, Naini had dismissed claims made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said Iran’s missile production capabilities had been effectively neutralized.
Meanwhile, hostilities between Iran and Israel have intensified. Iran launched several waves of missiles toward Israel late Thursday, following Netanyahu’s remarks that the Islamic Republic had been “decimated” by ongoing strikes.
The Israeli military reported detecting multiple rounds of missile fire within a short period, while explosions were heard over Jerusalem as air raid sirens sounded across the city. Emergency service Magen David Adom said no casualties were reported, though police confirmed property damage in several areas.
In northern Israel, debris from intercepted missiles struck parts of Haifa, causing damage to buildings, including an educational facility. Earlier reports also indicated that an oil refinery in the city had been targeted and caught fire following an airstrike.
Speaking at a press briefing, Netanyahu said Israel and the United States were “prevailing” in the conflict, which began after coordinated strikes on Iran. He claimed that Iran’s ability to enrich uranium and produce ballistic missiles had been significantly weakened.
The broader conflict continues to raise concerns across the region, with reports of strikes affecting energy facilities and rising casualties in neighboring countries.
