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Iran’s armed forces chief of staff, Abdolrahim Mousavi, has been confirmed dead following coordinated US and Israeli strikes, according to Iranian state media.
Reports from state television indicated that Mousavi was killed alongside several senior officials, including Defence Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh, Revolutionary Guards chief Mohammad Pakpour, and Ali Shamkhani, head of Iran’s Defence Council, during a high-level defence council meeting targeted in Saturday’s attack.
The strikes were said to be part of a broader operation aimed at key figures within Iran’s political and military leadership, with reports suggesting around 30 senior officials were targeted.
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, was also killed, along with several members of his family, including his daughter, grandchild, daughter-in-law and son-in-law.
State broadcaster IRIB announced his death, describing it as martyrdom, while affiliated outlet Mehr portrayed him as having sacrificed his life in service to the nation.
“This great scholar and mujahid (fighter) sacrificed his life to lift Iran, and he is in the grand presence of martyrs above,” Mehr, the state-affiliated news outlet, said.
In response, Iranian authorities declared a 40-day mourning period.
The joint US-Israel operation, which took place on Saturday, was described by Israel as a pre-emptive move.
Defence Minister Israel Katz said the action was intended to eliminate threats to the country, while also announcing a nationwide state of emergency due to concerns over possible Iranian retaliation involving drones and ballistic missiles.
