Iranian Revolutionary Guard Commander Reported Killed in Joint US-Israeli Strikes
The head of Iran's Revolutionary Guard, General Mohammad Pakpour, has reportedly been eliminated during joint United States and Israeli missile attacks targeting Tehran on Saturday. Israeli assessments confirm the death of the commander who was widely regarded as the architect of the regime's brutal crackdown against protesters.
Tehran Vows Crushing Response to Operation
Iranian authorities have promised a crushing response to the coordinated military operation, which follows weeks of escalating tensions between the United States, Israel, and the Islamic Republic. Footage and photographs emerging from the Iranian capital show dozens of smoking buildings in proximity to the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
According to Israeli media Channel 12, citing unnamed Israeli sources, Khamenei's palace has been completely destroyed, though it remains unclear whether the 86-year-old leader was present during the strikes. An Israeli official confirmed that President Masoud Pezeshkian was also among those targeted alongside other senior regime and military commanders.
Operation Details and Immediate Aftermath
The United States military operation has been named Epic Fury, while Israel has designated its involvement as Lion's Roar. Although the full results of the strikes remain unclear, Israeli officials have described the operation as achieving very high success rates.
General Mohammad Pakpour was appointed commander of the Revolutionary Guard in June 2025 following the killing of his predecessor, Hossein Salami, in previous Israeli airstrikes. Promoted to the rank of major general, Pakpour was specifically directed to enhance the IRGC's capabilities, readiness, and internal cohesion.
Pakpour's Controversial Legacy
Pakpour gained renewed prominence in January as the military leader said to have directed the bloody suppression of tens of thousands of Iranians during widespread uprisings against the regime. According to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, at least 6,872 people, predominantly protesters, were killed in the crackdown, though rights organizations warn the actual death toll is likely significantly higher, with some estimates exceeding 30,000 casualties.
Just over a month before his reported death, Pakpour issued a stark warning to Israel and the United States, urging them to avoid any miscalculations as regional tensions continued to escalate. During his January statement, Pakpour declared that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Iran had their finger on the trigger, more prepared than ever to execute the orders of the supreme commander-in-chief.
Regional Escalation and Military Response
Since the morning strikes, the Israeli military has identified dozens of ballistic missiles launched from Iran toward Israel, with defensive systems actively operating to intercept the incoming threats. Additional explosions have rocked Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and Abu Dhabi, raising fears that the Middle East may now be on the brink of all-out war.
In Bahrain, officials confirmed that the headquarters of the US Navy's 5th Fleet had been targeted by a missile attack, with social media footage showing large plumes of smoke rising into the sky.
International Statements and Strategic Objectives
President Donald Trump announced that the United States had commenced major combat operations amid claims that Iran had continued expanding its nuclear program and developing missiles capable of reaching American territory. Trump declared that the US would destroy Iranian missiles, annihilate their navy, and ensure that Iran never attains nuclear weapons.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the purpose of the joint operation was to remove the existential threat posed by Iran. Netanyahu thanked President Trump for his historic leadership and emphasized that the murderous terrorist regime must not be armed with nuclear weapons that could threaten all of humanity. The Israeli leader called upon all segments of the Iranian people to throw off the yoke of tyranny and bring about a free and peaceful Iran.
The situation remains fluid as military operations continue and diplomatic channels strain under the weight of escalating hostilities in the region.
