Iran defence minister, Revolutionary Guards commander killed: Sources
Several senior Iranian military and regime figures were reportedly targeted, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian, though their status remains unverified.
Iran's Defence Minister Amir Nasirzadeh and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander Mohammed Pakpour are believed to have been killed in Israeli attacks, two sources familiar with Israel's military operations and one regional source told Reuters.
Israeli officials said Pakpour, Nasirzadeh, and Iran's intelligence chief were likely among those targeted.
The full number of casualties has not yet been confirmed.
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Several senior Iranian military and regime figures were reportedly targeted, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian, though their status remains unverified.
If confirmed, Pakpour's death would deal a major blow to Iran's security establishment.
As IRGC commander, he coordinated internal security and regional military operations, including responses to joint US–Israeli strikes.
The IRGC is responsible for Iran's missile and aerospace programs, elite overseas operations, domestic security, and major economic networks.
Targeting the IRGC chief signals a shift from attacking military infrastructure to directly striking at the core of Iran's leadership.
Analysts warn that the strikes could disrupt command chains within the IRGC and across Iran's broader security apparatus.
Iran has already begun retaliatory actions in the region, and further escalation is possible.
The situation remains fluid, and official confirmation from Iranian authorities is still pending.
