Tehran, Feb 28 (V7N) – Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander Mohammad Pakpour and Defence Minister Amir Nasirzadeh were reportedly killed in Israeli airstrikes inside Iran early Saturday, according to Israeli officials.

Israeli sources said Pakpour, Nasirzadeh and Iran’s intelligence chief were likely among those targeted in the strikes. However, the full extent of casualties has not yet been officially confirmed.

Several senior Iranian military and political figures were reportedly in the vicinity of the attacks, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian, though their status remains unverified.

If confirmed, the killing of Pakpour would mark a significant blow to Iran’s security establishment. As commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, he oversaw internal security and regional military operations, including coordination of responses to joint US–Israeli actions.

The IRGC plays a central role in Iran’s missile and aerospace programmes, elite overseas operations, domestic security enforcement and key economic networks.

Observers say targeting the IRGC chief would signal a shift from strikes on military infrastructure to direct attacks on Iran’s leadership core, potentially disrupting command structures within the force and the broader security apparatus.

Iran has already initiated retaliatory measures in the region, and analysts warn that further escalation remains possible as the situation continues to develop.

Official confirmation from Iranian authorities regarding the reported deaths is still awaited.

END/AJ/RH