Iran confirms death of IRGC Naval commander

TEHRAN — Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has officially acknowledged the death of its Naval commander Alireza Tangsiri four days after Israel had said that they have targeted him. In the statement published on the Tasnim news agency, IRGC said that Tangsiri was “organizing forces and strengthening the defence shield of islands and coasts” and died “due to the severity of his injuries”. The statement added the “IRGC Navy” forces, despite the “absence” of Tangsiri commander in the recent days, made “crushing blows and continued decisive control over the Strait of Hormuz”. The IRGC vowed in the statement “not to rest until the enemy is completely destroyed”. Tangsiri, one of the most senior IRGC commanders, was involved in overseeing the passage of vessels through the strategic Strait of Hormuz recently. His account on X said “no vessel associated with the aggressors against Iran has the right to pass through”. He was an outspoken commander, having made several statements against the US and Israel in the past. Tangsiri was sanctioned by the US Treasury along with other IRGC commanders in 2019 after Iran shot down a US surveillance drone near the strait. — Agencies