Tensions between Israel and Iran have escalated once again following the killing of top Iranian intelligence officials in targeted Israeli airstrikes on Tehran. The strikes came just hours after Iran was accused of violating a U.S.-brokered ceasefire, prompting Israel to resume military operations.
According to Iranian state media, Brigadier General Alireza Lotfi, the Deputy Intelligence Chief in Iran’s Law Enforcement Command, was killed in the latest round of Israeli strikes on Monday. He is the latest high-ranking official to die amid the ongoing military conflict that has rattled the Middle East in recent weeks.
In a separate strike, General Mohammad Taqi Yousefvand, the head of Intelligence Protection for the Basij paramilitary force, part of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), was reportedly killed after the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) bombed a Basij headquarters in Tehran.
The new wave of airstrikes followed allegations from Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, who accused Iran of firing missiles at Israel in violation of the ceasefire announced by U.S. President Donald Trump.
“In light of Iran’s blatant violation of the ceasefire declared by the President of the United States, I have directed the IDF to continue high-intensity operations targeting regime assets and terror infrastructure in Tehran,” Defense Minister Katz stated.
Iranian officials, however, strongly denied the accusations, with both the military and foreign ministry claiming that no missile attacks were launched after the ceasefire was declared. State-affiliated outlet Nour News quoted Iranian military officials saying the Islamic Republic remained fully compliant with the truce.
The ceasefire, announced by President Trump, was intended to end 12 consecutive days of fierce fighting, which began after Israel launched a major strike on June 13, targeting Iran’s nuclear and missile infrastructure.
Leave a Reply