IRGC chief, defense minister killed in opening strikes sources say

By Emanuel Fabian

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and Reuters 28 February 2026, 4:01 pm

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Then-commander of the ground forces of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Brigadier General Mohammad Pakpour, attends a military parade as part of a ceremony marking the country's annual army day in Tehran, Iran, on April 17, 2024. (ATTA KENARE / AFP)

The commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Gen. Mohammad Pakpour and Iranian defense minister Aziz Nasirzadeh were killed in Israeli strikes in Iran this morning, three sources familiar with the matter tell Reuters.

Earlier, Israeli officials assessed that Pakpour, Nasirzadeh, and the chief of Iran’s intelligence were likely killed in the strikes.

Several top Iranian regime and military commanders were targeted in this morning’s strikes, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian. The results of the strikes remain unclear.