Iranian general dies in Israeli strike/ Iran Revolutionary Guard leader killed/ Israeli airstrike kills Hezbollah and Iran commanders/ Abbas Nilforushan death/ Hezbollah leader killed/ Israeli airstrike/ Iran Revolutionary Guard/ Israel-Iran conflict/ Newslooks/ BEIRUT/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Iranian Revolutionary Guard General Abbas Nilforushan was killed in the Israeli airstrike that also claimed the life of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, Iranian media confirmed. Nilforushan’s death intensifies the nearly yearlong conflict between Israel and Hamas, as Iran faces growing pressure to respond.
Iran General’s Death: Quick Looks
- Killed in Beirut: Iranian General Abbas Nilforushan was killed in the same Israeli airstrike that killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.
- Regional Tensions: His death escalates the conflict between Israel, Hezbollah, and Iran.
- Iran’s Response: Iran has suggested the right to retaliate under international law, increasing the possibility of further regional conflict.
- Military Background: Nilforushan was a key figure in Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, overseeing ground operations and aiding Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Iranian General Killed Alongside Hezbollah Leader in Israeli Airstrike
Deep Look:
Iranian General Abbas Nilforushan, a prominent figure in Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, was killed in the Israeli airstrike on Beirut that also claimed the life of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. Iranian state media confirmed Nilforushan’s death on Saturday, marking a significant development in the escalating conflict between Israel, Hezbollah, and Iran.
The Israeli strike, which targeted Hezbollah’s stronghold in the Haret Hreik neighborhood of Beirut, has intensified the nearly yearlong conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Nilforushan, 58, was a top commander in the Revolutionary Guard, responsible for overseeing ground operations. His presence in Lebanon at the time of the attack has raised questions, though his close ties to Hezbollah, which the Guard has armed and supported for decades, suggest he may have been coordinating efforts between Tehran and the militant group.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard and Hezbollah
Nilforushan was an influential figure within the Revolutionary Guard, which has long used Hezbollah as a strategic counterbalance against Israel and the United States. The Guard’s Quds Force has trained and supplied Hezbollah for years, allowing Iran to exert influence across the region. Nilforushan, like other senior Guard commanders, was vocal about his disdain for Israel, often predicting the downfall of the “Zionist regime.”
His death alongside Nasrallah strikes a blow to the “Axis of Resistance,” a coalition of Iran-backed militant groups that includes Hezbollah and Hamas. Iranian officials have indicated that Tehran may retaliate for the attack. Ahmad Reza Pour Khaghan, Iran’s deputy judiciary chief, confirmed Nilforushan’s death and declared that Iran has the right to retaliate under international law.
Nilforushan’s Military Legacy
Nilforushan’s military career was defined by his deep involvement in Iran’s regional military efforts. He began his service during the Iran-Iraq War in the 1980s and later rose through the ranks of the Revolutionary Guard. As deputy commander for operations, Nilforushan was responsible for directing the Guard’s ground forces in various conflicts, including Syria’s civil war, where Iranian forces supported President Bashar Assad’s regime.
Nilforushan’s influence extended beyond the battlefield. In 2022, the U.S. Treasury sanctioned him for his role in suppressing protests in Iran, accusing him of leading efforts to quash demonstrations following the death of Mahsa Amini, who died in police custody for allegedly violating Iran’s mandatory hijab laws. Nilforushan dismissed the protests as a foreign plot, accusing Iran’s enemies of fueling unrest to weaken the regime.
Despite his tough stance, Nilforushan was also close to reformist elements within Iran’s political structure. His relationship with Qassem Soleimani, the former commander of the Quds Force who was assassinated in a U.S. drone strike in Baghdad in 2020, further solidified his standing as a key figure in Iran’s military elite.
Iran’s Next Move
The killing of both Nasrallah and Nilforushan is likely to increase pressure on Tehran to respond. Iran has already expressed outrage over the airstrike, and state media have reported on growing calls for retaliation against Israel. The Revolutionary Guard has threatened to avenge Nilforushan’s death, and Iran’s hardline factions may push for a more aggressive stance.
However, Tehran is also navigating a delicate situation. Iran’s recently elected President Masoud Pezeshkian, who took office following the death of former President Ebrahim Raisi, has signaled a willingness to negotiate with the West over its nuclear program and seek relief from sanctions. Pezeshkian’s administration has indicated that it aims to avoid further isolation while keeping pressure on Israel.
Iran’s complex position is further complicated by its involvement in regional conflicts. Hezbollah’s near-daily clashes with Israeli forces along the Lebanon-Israel border have added fuel to the fire, while Iran continues to supply Hamas with weapons and financial support. Iran has also not yet retaliated for the 2020 assassination of Soleimani or the more recent killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, allegedly by Israel.
Future Escalation
As tensions rise, the risk of a broader conflict looms large. Israel has repeatedly targeted Iranian assets in Syria and Lebanon, seeking to weaken Tehran’s influence in the region. Iran’s support for Hezbollah, coupled with its ongoing role in the conflict between Hamas and Israel, has made it a key player in the broader Middle Eastern struggle.
Whether Iran chooses to escalate in response to Nilforushan’s death or take a more diplomatic approach remains to be seen. However, the killing of one of its top generals will not go unanswered for long, given the Revolutionary Guard’s history of retribution.
For now, both sides are bracing for what may come next as the region faces the prospect of deeper conflict.
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