The commander behind Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has been killed by Israel. | WPN World People News

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz publicly confirmed on the 26th that, in an airstrike launched the previous night, Israel successfully killed Alireza Tangsiri, commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy, along with several senior officers. U.S. Central Command’s Brad Cooper later responded, urging the Iranian navy to immediately cease resistance to avoid unnecessary casualties.

The airstrike took place in Iran’s southern strategic port city of Bandar Abbas. According to media reports citing officials, the strike targeted a disguised command headquarters. At the time, Tangsiri was holding a meeting with several high-ranking officers, all of whom were killed in the attack.

Katz stated that Tangsiri was the mastermind behind the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, directly responsible for laying mines, blocking shipping lanes, and planning related operations in the strait. He must be held directly accountable, and the Israeli military will continue pursuing those involved.

Media reports indicate that Tangsiri had served as naval commander since 2018. Known for his hardline stance, he had repeatedly threatened to blockade the Strait of Hormuz and had confronted U.S. warships multiple times in the Persian Gulf. The IRGC primarily conducts small-scale operations in the region, targeting commercial vessels and military ships of forces hostile to Tehran.

As Iran’s regular navy had already seen its large combat vessels destroyed prior to this, and with several senior political and military leaders—including Supreme Leader Khamenei—also killed in airstrikes, the IRGC, which specializes in asymmetric warfare, had become the main force behind Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Tangsiri’s death is expected to deal a severe blow to Iran’s command structure.