Ali Mohammad Naini, spokesperson for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), has reportedly been killed in a strike carried out by the United States and Israel, according to Iranian state media.
Naini, who also served as deputy head of public relations for the IRGC, was killed as part of the ongoing military campaign known as Operation Epic Fury. His death marks another high-profile loss for Iran’s leadership structure in recent days.
The strike comes shortly after the reported killing of Ali Larijani, described as a key figure in the regime, and Gholamreza Soleimani, known for his role in suppressing protests.
Just hours before his death, Naini had publicly insisted that Iran retained its missile production capabilities despite ongoing bombardments. He also warned that Iran maintains control over the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy route through which roughly 20% of the world’s oil supply flows.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed continued military pressure, stating that Iranian capabilities would be “crushed to dust.”
On the U.S. side, Brad Cooper of United States Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that more than 100 Iranian naval vessels have been destroyed so far, adding that operations are ongoing.
The situation underscores the rapid escalation of the conflict, with both sides signaling that military actions are far from over, raising concerns about broader regional instability and threats to global energy supplies.
