The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran announced on Friday the death of their spokesperson, Ali Mohammad Naini, who was reportedly killed during coordinated strikes carried out by the United States and Israel. This marks a significant loss for the IRGC, highlighting the increasing toll on high-ranking officials amid the ongoing conflict. The IRGC described the attack as a “criminal and cowardly terrorist act” carried out by what they termed the American-Zionist alliance, emphasizing the severity of the incident on their official Sepah News platform.
Iranian state media confirmed Naini’s death, noting that he had been serving as the official spokesperson for the IRGC since 2024. Despite the gravity of the situation, neither Israel nor the United States has issued an immediate statement or acknowledgment regarding the strike or Naini’s death. Earlier on the same day, Naini had publicly dismissed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s claim that Iran’s missile production capabilities had been neutralized, underscoring the ongoing propaganda and counter-propaganda efforts between the two sides.
In a related development, Iran launched a series of missile attacks targeting Israel late Thursday night. This barrage came shortly after Netanyahu declared that Iran had been “decimated” by the war, signaling a sharp escalation in hostilities. The Israeli military reported detecting three missile launches within an hour and a half before midnight local time, followed by another salvo a few hours later. Residents of Jerusalem experienced several loud explosions accompanied by air raid sirens, signaling the intensity of the assault. Emergency services reported no casualties, but police confirmed damage in multiple locations across the city.
Further north, Israeli media reported that shrapnel from the missile strikes hit Haifa and its suburban educational institutions, causing property damage but no injuries. Earlier reports indicated that an oil refinery in Haifa was also targeted. These attacks have heightened concerns over the security of critical infrastructure in the region, as the conflict continues to spill over into civilian areas.
During a press briefing on Thursday evening, Netanyahu asserted that Israel and the United States were making significant progress in the war, which began with their joint strikes on Iranian targets. He claimed that efforts to dismantle Iran’s missile manufacturing and uranium enrichment capabilities were succeeding, effectively crippling Tehran’s ability to sustain its ballistic missile program. Netanyahu went further to describe Iran as being “decimated,” suggesting internal instability and uncertainty over the country’s leadership. His remarks came amid global market jitters triggered by Iran’s focus on Gulf oil and gas facilities, which are vital to the world economy.
Nearly three weeks into the conflict, Netanyahu reiterated that Iran no longer possessed the capacity to enrich uranium or produce ballistic missiles. Meanwhile, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, in discussions with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, called for a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, Iran’s ally, and urged the commencement of peace negotiations. However, with no immediate ceasefire in sight, Lebanon’s health ministry reported that the death toll from Israeli airstrikes in southern and eastern Lebanon, as well as Beirut’s southern suburbs, has now exceeded 1,000.
Netanyahu also highlighted his cooperation with former US President Donald Trump, claiming that the war was progressing faster than anticipated. He expressed uncertainty about Iran’s current leadership, referencing the absence of Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was reportedly killed in an Israeli airstrike on the conflict’s first day. Netanyahu suggested that fractures were appearing not only within Iran’s top command but also among field forces, which Israel aims to exploit.
Despite Israel and the US expressing confidence in their military campaign, the conflict has sent shockwaves through global energy markets. Iranian missile attacks on Qatar’s massive Ras Laffan liquefied natural gas facility and refineries in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait have raised fears of prolonged disruptions. The Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments, remains a focal point of tension. Following the missile strike on Ras Laffan, QatarEnergy estimated the damage could cost up to $20 billion annually and take five years to repair, underscoring the economic stakes involved.
In addition to missile strikes, Iran deployed drones against Saudi Arabia’s Samref refinery in Yanbu and caused fires at Kuwait’s Mina Abdullah and Mina Al-Ahmadi refineries, which collectively process 800,000 barrels per day. Saudi Arabia responded by intercepting multiple drones, asserting its right to take military action in defense of its territory. These attacks have intensified fears of a broader regional conflict that could disrupt energy supplies worldwide.
Former US President Donald Trump commented on the situation, indicating he was not always informed in advance about Israeli operations, such as the raid on South Pars, a major Iranian gas field supplying 70 percent of the country’s domestic needs. Trump claimed to have warned Netanyahu against further strikes on Iranian gas infrastructure, though Netanyahu maintained that Israel acted independently. Trump also threatened to “blow up” South Pars if Iran continued attacks on Qatar but stopped short of committing to ground troop deployment in Iran.
Iran’s military has responded defiantly, with the Khatam Al-Anbiya operational command vowing to destroy Gulf energy infrastructure completely if Israeli attacks persist. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi emphasized that Iran would show “zero restraint” if its facilities were targeted again. Meanwhile, several European countries, including Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the Netherlands, pledged to support efforts ensuring safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, though they refrained from detailing specific measures. Rome and Berlin stressed that any intervention would depend on the establishment of a ceasefire.
French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the escalating violence as “reckless” and called for direct dialogue between the United States and Iran. The UK warned that attacks on critical infrastructure risked deepening the crisis in the region. Both India and China voiced concerns over the security of oil supplies transiting the Strait of Hormuz, highlighting the global implications of the conflict.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that there is no set timeline for ending the war but affirmed that progress was on track. He noted that the decision to conclude hostilities ultimately rests with the US president. Meanwhile, Gulf states reported ongoing missile and drone threats, with the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait activating air defenses and Saudi Arabia intercepting multiple drones in its eastern and northern regions. Bahrain’s interior ministry reported a fire caused by Iranian shrapnel, though no injuries were reported.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claimed responsibility for targeting US forces stationed at the UAE’s Al-Dhafra air base and sites in Israel using missiles and drones. Saudi Arabia’s defense ministry confirmed that its forces intercepted and destroyed ten drones in less than two hours, demonstrating the heightened state of alert in the region.
Despite the conflict, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards asserted on Friday that missile production continues unabated, signaling Tehran’s determination to maintain its military capabilities amid the ongoing war with Israel and the United States. This development suggests that the conflict may persist, with both sides preparing for a protracted confrontation.
