Tehran: Iran’s Revolutionary Guard confirmed on Monday that the commander of its naval forces, Rear Adm. Alireza Tangsiri, has died from injuries sustained during a military strike last week.

A statement from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), released through the state-run IRNA news agency, said Tangsiri succumbed to the “severity of his injuries.” The announcement follows days of speculation regarding the commander's fate after a major Israeli operation targeted high-ranking military officials in southern Iran.

Israeli Operation in Bandar Abbas

The confirmation comes four days after Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz announced that Tangsiri had been "eliminated" in what he described as a “precise and lethal operation” conducted by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF). According to Israeli officials, the strike took place in the port city of Bandar Abbas and targeted a location where senior naval command officials were meeting.

Katz identified Tangsiri as the primary figure responsible for "mining and blocking the Strait of Hormuz," a critical maritime chokepoint for global oil and gas supplies. The Israeli government maintained that the strike was part of an ongoing effort to restore freedom of navigation in the region.

Escalating Regional Conflict

Tangsiri, who had led the IRGC Navy since 2018, was a prominent hardline figure known for his frequent threats against Western naval presence in the Persian Gulf. Under his command, the IRGC Navy expanded its use of fast-attack boats, drones, and naval mines.

The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) also acknowledged the commander's death, with officials stating that his removal would significantly impact the IRGC’s ability to project power and disrupt commercial shipping.

The death of Tangsiri marks one of the highest-profile casualties for the Iranian military in recent years, adding to a series of losses among the IRGC’s top leadership amidst intensifying regional hostilities.