Khaberni - Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz announced the assassination of the commander of the navy in the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, Ali Reza Tangsiri, saying that "this assassination is important for the United States, and it is an assistance from our army to open the Strait of Hormuz."
Katz said that the Iranian navy commander was directly responsible for planting mines and closing the Strait of Hormuz.
According to an Israeli official, on Thursday, the assassination of Tangsiri was carried out in a raid targeting him in the city of Bandar Abbas in southern Iran.
The Israeli Broadcasting Corporation stated that Tangsiri "is considered one of the most prominent Iranian military leaders, with significant influence on Tehran's maritime strategy, especially regarding the ongoing threat of closing the Strait of Hormuz through which about a fifth of the world's oil consumption passes."
It added that Tangsiri was overseeing the development of the Revolutionary Guards' naval capabilities, including fast boat tactics, coastal missiles, and drones, "in order to deter any foreign naval presence in the region."
Anticipating Iranian Response
The Israeli Broadcasting Corporation noted that attention is turned to the nature of the possible Iranian response "amid international warnings that Tehran might activate its historical threats to disrupt maritime navigation in the Strait of Hormuz or target Israeli and allied interests in the Middle East."
It added that this could "widen the scope of the conflict and its direct impact on global energy security and stability of waterways."
The Iranian authorities have not yet commented on these Israeli claims. However, Tehran has launched several missile volleys at central and northern Israel since Thursday morning for about two and a half hours, resulting in at least eight people injured, according to Israeli media.
Since February 28 of last year, Israel and the United States have been waging a war on Iran, which has resulted in hundreds of deaths, including the guide Ali Khamenei and security officials, and Tehran responds by launching rockets and drones towards Israel.
Iran also targets what it says are American sites and interests in Arab countries, although some attacks have resulted in casualties and damage to civilian facilities, which the targeted countries have condemned and demanded to stop.
