Iran military chief of staff, Mousavi killed in fresh US-Israel strikes
Iran’s Chief of Staff, Abdolrahim Mousavi, has been reportedly killed in a new round of airstrikes carried out by the United States and Israeli forces, Iranian state television said on Sunday.
The reported death of Mousavi, a central figure in Iran’s military command structure, marks another significant blow to the country’s defence hierarchy and comes amid escalating tensions in the region.
The development follows barely 24 hours after the reported killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, in what was described as a joint US-Israeli airstrike.
Analysts say the successive targeting of Iran’s top leadership could have far-reaching implications for the country’s command structure and the broader Middle East.
United States President Donald Trump has reportedly indicated that military operations against Iran’s leadership will continue.
According to reports, Trump signalled that strikes would persist until Iran’s top military command is fully neutralised, underscoring the likelihood of sustained tensions in the region.
In a related development, Iran is expected to move quickly to fill the vacuum left by Khamenei’s reported death.
According to The Guardian UK, a temporary leadership arrangement has been outlined to guide the country during the transition period.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Judiciary Chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, and another senior legal official are expected to oversee state affairs on an interim basis.
At the same time, Iranian state television has identified Mohammad Mokhber as the man chosen to succeed Khamenei.
Mokhber, a long-time aide and adviser to the late leader, previously served as acting president after the sudden death of former President Ebrahim Raisi in 2024.
He also held the position of First Vice President between 2021 and 2024.
The situation remains fluid, with global leaders closely monitoring developments as tensions between Iran, the United States, and Israel continue to escalate.