Israel-US attack Iran: Major blow to Tehran’s top leadership! Reports say defence minister, Guards commander killed in Israeli strikes

In a big setback for the top leadership of Tehran, Iran's Defence Minister Amir Nasirzadeh and Revolutionary Guards commander Mohammed Pakpour are believed to have been killed in a strike by Israel, according to sources familiar with Israel's military operations, and another regional source, Reuters reported.

Nasirzadeh was the Deputy of Chief of Staff for the Iranian Armed forces before taking charge as the Minister of Defence. The Minister began his military career as a fighter pilot.

Mohammed Pakpour had assumed charge of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in 2025. He had overtaken the charge after the death of the previous commander, Hossein Salami, following Israeli strikes.

Earlier in the day, Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi alleged that the Israeli strike on an Iranian primary school for girls murdered dozens. Araghchi vowed to answer the strikes.

40 killed in Israeli strike on school in Iran's Minab

At least 40 Iranians have been killed in the Israeli strike on a school in the city of Minab in the Hormozgan province, in the southern part of Iran, said the governor of the province.

Reporting on the death toll as mentioned by the state media, Reuters said that at least 24 have been killed due to a fresh strike at the girls' primary school, bringing the toll to over 40.

"An Iranian governor saying at least 24 had been killed in Israeli strike on a school in Minab in southern Iran. State media now reports the death toll at the school, a girls' primary, has risen to 40," Reuters reported.

In a post on X, Araghchi said, "The destroyed building is a primary school for girls in the south of Iran. It was bombed in broad daylight, when packed with young pupils. Dozens of innocent children have been murdered at this site alone. These crimes against the Iranian People will not go unanswered."

Araghchi quoted Trump's old post on X from October 9, 2012 where he had criticised Former US President Barack Obama, saying he would strike Iran.

In a post on X, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had earlier in the day, said, "OPERATION ROARING LION: The IDF and the U.S Armed Forces have launched a broad & joint operation to thoroughly degrade the Iranian terrorist regime and to remove existential threats to Israel over time. The Iranian regime has not abandoned its plan to destroy Israel. The regime has continued financing, training, and arming its proxies positioned on Israel's borders. These actions constitute an existential threat to Israel and pose a danger to the Middle East and the world as a whole."

However, several countries have called for peace in the region.

Iran had retaliated, targeting Israel and US assets in multiple Gulf states. Multiple explosions have been heard in Iran's capital, Tehran, while blasts have also been reported in several other locations across the country.

Iran's Ambassador to India, Mohammad Fathali, meanwhile, claimed that hundreds of innocent Iranian citizens have been killed during the large-scale attacks launched by the United States and Israel on Saturday.

Fathali confirmed that the country's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian have not suffered any harm and remain in good health.

In an interview with IANS, Ambassador Fathali also stated that the Iranian authorities have issued the necessary safety advisories and guidelines for the safety of all foreign nationals, including Indian students and professionals, who are stuck in the conflict zone.

(With inputs from agencies)