BANDAR ABBAS, Mar 26 (V7N) – The Israeli military has reportedly killed Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri, the high-ranking commander of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy, during a targeted airstrike in the southern port city of Bandar Abbas. The Times of Israel, citing senior Israeli defense officials, reported on Thursday that Tangsiri was eliminated in what was described as a "precise and lethal operation" aimed at the naval command structure. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz later confirmed the claim in a video statement, identifying Tangsiri as the primary architect behind the ongoing mining and blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy corridor that has been largely paralyzed since the conflict began 27 days ago.

According to operational details emerging from Jerusalem, the strike targeted a specific building in Bandar Abbas—a vital military and commercial hub—where Tangsiri was reportedly holding a meeting with other senior naval officers. While the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have signaled this move as a "clear message" to the IRGC leadership, the Iranian government has yet to issue an official confirmation of his death. However, Iranian state-affiliated media and local witnesses in Bandar Abbas reported several powerful explosions in the city’s naval base area earlier this morning. Tangsiri, who had led the IRGC's naval wing since 2018, had recently been highly vocal on social media regarding Iran’s absolute control over the Strait, warning foreign vessels to stay clear of the zone.

The reported assassination marks one of the most significant blows to Tehran’s military hierarchy since the start of the joint U.S.-Israeli campaign on February 28. Intelligence analysts suggest that the loss of Tangsiri could severely disrupt Iran’s maritime strategy and its ability to maintain the blockade, which currently accounts for a 20% disruption in global crude oil transit. As tensions continue to spiral, the Pentagon is reportedly weighing the deployment of the 82nd Airborne Division to the region, amid fears of a massive Iranian retaliatory strike. The situation remains highly volatile, with both sides intensifying their military posturing across the Persian Gulf.

END/SMA/AJ