Iran has officially confirmed the death of Alireza Tangsiri, commander of the naval arm of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, following an Israeli airstrike that Tehran says left him critically wounded before he later died from his injuries.
In a statement published by the Guards’ Sepah News outlet, Iranian authorities said Tangsiri “succumbed to severe injuries” sustained during last week’s strike.
The confirmation follows an earlier announcement by Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz, who said the strike targeted Tangsiri because of his alleged role in operations affecting the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route for oil and gas exports.
Katz described Tangsiri as the figure “directly responsible” for actions involving the mining and obstruction of the strategic waterway, where maritime traffic has sharply declined since the conflict began.
A condolence message attributed to Iran’s supreme leadership praised Tangsiri as “a soldier of Iran and guardian of Islam,” highlighting his military role during the ongoing war. Iranian media said his funeral is scheduled for Tuesday in Bandar Abbas, Iran’s key southern port city overlooking the Gulf.
According to the Guards’ statement, Tangsiri had been overseeing coastal defence operations when the strike occurred. The statement also vowed continued retaliation, declaring that Iran would persist until “the enemy is completely destroyed.”
Tangsiri is the latest senior Iranian military figure whose death has been confirmed during the conflict, which has already claimed several top-ranking officials and security commanders.
A veteran of the Iran–Iraq War, Tangsiri was regarded as one of the longest-serving and most influential commanders within the Revolutionary Guards. In 2018, he was appointed to lead the IRGC Navy, where he oversaw the expansion of Iran’s fast-attack naval capabilities and maritime enforcement operations across the Gulf.
Under his command, the Guards’ naval branch frequently drew international attention for intercepting and seizing foreign vessels in regional waters.
In 2019, the United States imposed sanctions on Tangsiri under counter-terrorism measures, citing his role in regional military activities.
While Israel and the United States argue that recent strikes have significantly weakened Iran’s command structure, analysts note that Tehran continues to demonstrate operational resilience despite repeated losses among senior leadership.
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