TEHRAN: The head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Intelligence Organisation has been martyred in an Israeli airstrike that targeted Iran’s capital, Tehran.
In a statement issued on Monday, the IRGC confirmed that Brigadier General Seyed Majid Khademi was assassinated in what it described as a “criminal and terrorist” attack carried out during the early hours of the morning.
The organisation held both the United States and Israel responsible for the strike.The IRGC paid tribute to Khademi, highlighting his decades-long service and portraying him as a central figure in safeguarding the ideals of the Iranian Revolution.
According to the statement, he played a pivotal role in strengthening Iran’s intelligence and security framework, particularly in countering foreign threats and protecting national interests.Officials further claimed that Khademi’s efforts were instrumental in preventing infiltration attempts and thwarting destabilisation plots allegedly orchestrated by external adversaries.
His work, they said, significantly contributed to maintaining the country’s internal stability and national security over many years.Israeli authorities later appeared to acknowledge involvement in the operation.
Defence Minister Israel Katz stated that he had been briefed on the strike during a military assessment alongside Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, indicating coordination at the highest levels of the Israeli defence establishment.
In response to the attack, the IRGC announced the launch of the 97th wave of retaliatory strikes, deploying a combination of missiles and drones against what it described as the invading US-Israeli coalition.
The escalation marks a further intensification of hostilities between the two sides.The latest developments come amid a broader conflict that erupted on February 28, following a series of high-profile assassinations, including that of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, along with several senior military officials and civilians. The situation continues to evolve, raising concerns about further escalation in the region.