Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced on Wednesday that Israeli forces conducted a precision strike eliminating Alireza Tangsiri, the Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy, along with senior members of Iran’s naval command. Katz stated that Tangsiri was directly responsible for mining and blocking the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy chokepoint.
\n\nHigh-Stakes Operation
\n\n"Tonight, in a precise and lethal operation, the IDF eliminated the Commander of the IRGC Navy, Tangsiri, along with senior members of the naval command," Katz said in a translated statement. "This is a clear message to all senior officials of the Iranian IRGC terror organization currently ruling Iran: The IDF will hunt and eliminate you one by one." Katz emphasized the operation’s significance for reopening the Strait of Hormuz and highlighted the cooperation between Israeli and U.S. forces, citing the "historic partnership" between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
\n\n"This is also significant news for our American partners, as an expression of the IDF's assistance in reopening the Strait of Hormuz and the historic partnership between U.S. President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and between our two countries and two armies," Katz said.\n\n
Coordination with U.S. Intelligence
\n\nThe strike reportedly relied on joint U.S. and Israeli intelligence, with a senior Israeli official describing it as a demonstration of the depth of their operational capabilities. The covert naval command center housing Tangsiri and his leadership team was targeted overnight, disrupting Iran’s naval operations.
\n\nPresident Trump, who initiated military actions against Iran in coordination with Israel nearly four weeks ago, responded to Iran’s resistance to ceasefire talks with sharp criticism. "They better get serious soon, before it is too late," Trump warned in a Truth Social post, signaling escalating tensions.