Israel Kills Iran Basij Commander, Escalates Attacks Across Middle East

Israel announced on Tuesday that it had killed Gen. Gholam Reza Soleimani, head of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards’ Basij force, in an airstrike on Tehran. The military described the Basij as a key force used to suppress internal dissent and said the operation was part of a “wide-scale wave of strikes” across Iran’s capital. Israel also reported stepped-up attacks on Iran-backed Hezbollah positions in Lebanon amid escalating regional tensions.

The Israeli military said the Basij commander had overseen violent crackdowns on domestic protests in Iran, with widespread arrests and use of force against civilians. Soleimani, born in 1965, has been sanctioned by the US, European Union, and other nations for his role in suppressing dissent. Israel framed the strike as targeting a core element of Iran’s internal security apparatus and warned it would continue to degrade Iranian and proxy capabilities. Iran has not immediately confirmed Soleimani’s death.

Meanwhile, Gulf nations faced renewed missile and drone attacks from Iran. Dubai briefly closed its airspace in response to “incoming missile and drone threats,” and a man in Abu Dhabi was killed by debris from an intercepted missile, marking the eighth fatality in the UAE since the conflict began. Iranian attacks have also targeted oil facilities in Fujairah and tankers in the Gulf of Oman, raising concerns over a global energy crisis as Brent crude remains above $100 per barrel.

Also Read: Hezbollah Ready For Long Battle Against Israeli Strikes On Lebanon

The conflict has also spread to Iraq, where Iran-linked militias targeted the US Embassy in Baghdad with drones, and to Lebanon, where Israeli strikes reportedly injured two soldiers in Kfar Sir. In Israel, Iranian missiles killed at least 12 civilians, while at least 13 US military personnel have been reported dead. Israel has reinforced its northern command in preparation for further operations in southern Lebanon, raising fears of a large-scale invasion.

The ongoing hostilities are contributing to a virtual shutdown of the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, through which about one-fifth of the world’s oil is transported. Iran has indicated it will continue to pressure shipping in the strait, while Iraq is in discussions to facilitate passage for its vessels. The attacks have displaced over one million people in Lebanon and killed more than 1,300 in Iran, according to local authorities.

Amid these escalating tensions, Israel and its allies continue airstrikes, while Iran maintains attacks on Gulf infrastructure and shipping, fueling global energy concerns and geopolitical instability. Both sides appear prepared for further escalation, leaving the region on edge and international markets unsettled.

Also Read: Qatar Foreign Ministry Says Talks With Iran Contingent On Ending Gulf Attacks