'Israel' claims assassination of top Iranian commander coordinating with Hamas

The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) claimed Saturday that it had eliminated a high-ranking Iranian commander in an airstrike on the city of Qom, deep within Iranian territory.

According to an official military statement, 'Israeli' fighter jets targeted and killed Saeed Izadi, the commander of the Palestine Corps of Iran’s elite Quds Force. Izadi, the statement said, served as “the key coordinator between the Iranian regime and the Hamas terrorist organisation.”

The Quds Force operates as the external arm of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and is tasked with overseeing the regime’s military and paramilitary operations abroad.

Izadi’s role reportedly included overseeing Hamas activity in Lebanon and helping to rebuild the group’s military infrastructure in Gaza following 'Israel’s' assault on the Strip. Hamas initiated the current war with its surprise cross-border attack on October 7, 2023.

A senior IOF official, speaking to reporters on background, revealed that two additional Iranian commanders were killed in strikes overnight. Behnam Shahriyari, head of Unit 190 within the Quds Force, was described as the IRGC’s key liaison to Hezbollah.

“What Izadi was for Hamas, Shahriyari was for Hezbollah,” the official said, adding that he was “responsible for transferring funds to these terror organisations who aimed to destroy Israel.”

Also killed was Aminpour Judaki, the official in charge of Iran’s drone operations. According to the same source, Judaki was “responsible for hundreds of UAV attacks against Israel.”

The 'Israeli' campaign, which began last week, has included a series of targeted assassinations, airstrikes on Iranian air defense systems, and repeated bombardments of nuclear sites. Military officials say the strikes are aimed at halting what they claim is Tehran’s race toward acquiring nuclear weapons.