Monitoring Desk
According to international media reports, the Israel Defense Forces said it targeted locations in Tehran today where senior political and security figures were gathered. However, Iran’s state media has denied reports claiming that top political officials and the army chief were killed in today’s attacks. Meanwhile, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) reportedly launched retaliatory missile strikes at U.S. military bases in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and the UAE.
Khamenei is still alive ‘as far as I know,’ says Iranian foreign minister
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that as a result of joint action by the United States and Israel, “perhaps one or two of our commanders have been killed.”
Speaking to NBC, the BBC’s partner organization in the United States, Araghchi also stated that, according to his information, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is alive.
It is worth noting that the Israel Defense Forces said it targeted locations in Tehran where senior political and security figures were gathered, while Iranian state media denied reports that senior political officials and the army chief were killed in the attacks.
Araghchi added that Iran seeks de-escalation and is ready for negotiations, provided the United States and Israel halt their attacks.
Stating that “no contact has been made yet,” Araghchi said, “If the Americans want to talk to us, they know how to reach me.”
Iranian Defense Minister Amir Nasir zadeh killed in Israeli–US attack
According to a British news agency citing sources, Iranian Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh and IRGC chief Mohammad Pakpour were killed in Israeli strikes.
The British news agency reported that two sources familiar with Israeli military operations and one regional source confirmed the information.
However, no official confirmation has yet been issued. The Israeli army chief said that the operation in Iran is very different and much larger than previous wars, and that a broad attack against Iran’s defense systems has been completed.
On the other hand, Abbas Araghchi told U.S. media that “we may have lost some commanders, but this is not a major issue.” He described the U.S.–Israeli attack as unprovoked, illegal, completely unjustified, and a violation of international law.
Araghchi said the attacks on Iran by Israel and the United States should be strongly condemned. “What we are doing is defensive action, which is our legitimate and legal right. We do not need anyone to defend us; we are capable of defending ourselves.”
The Iranian foreign minister added that Iran has had a bitter experience with negotiations with the United States and that U.S. bases in the region are being targeted in self-defense.
Israel completes major “operation” against Iran: IDF
The Israeli military said it has completed a major “operation” against Iran. In a statement, the IDF said that one of the airstrikes targeted the advanced SA-65 air defense system in the Kermanshah region of western Iran.
The statement added that the strikes were carried out to establish and expand the Israeli Air Force’s operational freedom in Iranian airspace, to reduce the capabilities of the IRGC, and to prevent threats to Israel.
Iranian state media denies deaths of senior officials and army chief
Iran’s state media denied reports that senior political officials and the army chief were killed in today’s joint Israeli–U.S. airstrikes.
The executive deputy of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian wrote on X that “President Masoud Pezeshkian is safe.” The president’s son also wrote on Telegram that “the attempt to assassinate him was unsuccessful.”
The Iranian army denied the death of its commander, Major General Amir Hatami, while Fars News Agency reported that Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Supreme National Security Council chief Ali Larijani were unharmed.
It is worth reiterating that the Israel Defense Forces stated that they targeted locations in Tehran where senior political and security figures were gathered.
