Iran Reports Death of Another IRGC Colonel

On Friday, Iran announced the death of a second colonel from the elite Quds Force of the Iranian Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), the second in two weeks from the force in charge of Iran's military activities abroad.

According to an early morning report by the official IRNA news agency, Col. Ali Esmailzadeh died days ago in the city of Karaj, about 35 kilometres (19 miles) northwest of Tehran, during a "event in his apartment."

It didn't go into detail, but it refuted claims that the colonel had been assassinated. Esmailzadeh, according to some news outlets linked to the Guard, fell from his rooftop or balcony.

Worthy to mention that Col. Hassan Sayyad Khodaei was shot five times in a car in front of his home in Tehran by two unidentified shooters on a motorcycle in May.

Iran blamed the US and its allies, especially Israel, for his assassination. Iran has long held Israel responsible for intentional deaths, including those of nuclear scientists in recent years.

Last month, Brigadier General Hossein Salami, the Chief Commander of the Iranian Revolution Guards Corps, vowed on Monday that the IRGC will avenge the murders of its members, according to the state news agency IRNA.

Salami was speaking at a local commemoration in Khorramshar, southwestern Iran, just a day after IRGC Quds Force member Colonel Hassan Sayyad Khodaei was slain in the capital Tehran by two motorcycles.

He stated that no act of terrorism by the enemy will go unpunished, emphasising that the vengeance for Sayyad Khodaei’s assassination will be harsh and make the culprits regret their actions.

Salami referred to opponents’ attempts to deceive the Iranian people, saying that the country stood up to limits, maximum pressure, and military threats, and that sanctions were turned into possibilities for self-sufficiency.

The Iranian Commander also praised the Iranian people’s and Islamic establishment’s unity.