The spokesperson of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Ali Mohammad Naini, has been killed in early Friday airstrikes, Iranian state media has confirmed.
According to reports aired by Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-linked channels, Naini died following strikes that come amid escalating tensions between Iran, Israel and the United States.
Naini, who had served as the IRGC’s chief spokesman since 2024, was a key figure in the military’s media operations, managing communication with state broadcasters and international press. He had succeeded Brigadier-General Ramazan Sharif in the role.
His death came just hours after he publicly defended Iran’s missile capabilities despite ongoing attacks.
“Our missile industry deserves a perfect score… even under wartime conditions, we continue missile production,” Naini had said. He added that the conflict would persist “until the enemy is completely exhausted.”
His killing marks the fourth major loss for Iran’s leadership in recent days, following the deaths of senior figures including Ali Larijani, Gholamreza Soleimani and Esmail Khatib.
The developments come as hostilities in the Middle East intensify. Since late February, U.S. and Israeli forces have reportedly conducted airstrikes on Iranian territory, triggering retaliatory missile and drone attacks by Tehran targeting Israeli territory and U.S. military installations across the region.
The conflict has raised global concerns, particularly over threats to critical infrastructure near the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global energy supplies.
In a related escalation, strikes reportedly hit Iran’s South Pars gas field, prompting retaliation targeting Qatar’s Ras Laffan liquefied natural gas facility, one of the world’s largest energy hubs.
Speaking on the developments, former U.S. President Donald Trump attributed the South Pars strike to Israel but distanced the United States from the attack.
“The United States had no prior knowledge of the strike, and Qatar was not involved,” Trump said, warning that any continued attacks on energy infrastructure could provoke a strong response.
Meanwhile, Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz signalled further military action.
“There will be more surprises,” Katz said, after previously claiming responsibility for the killing of intelligence minister Khatib.
The ongoing conflict has resulted in rising casualties and heightened geopolitical tensions across the region, with fears of a broader escalation continuing to grow.
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