{
  "id": 12902105,
  "title": "Israel assassinated Iran's navy chief over fears he could lead a more dangerous IRGC - exclusive",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/israel-assassinated-irans-navy-chief-over-fears-he-could-lead-a-more",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-08T16:16:20.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Jerusalem Post",
    "slug": "jerusalem-post",
    "url": "https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-911089"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Israel assassinated Iran's navy chief, Alireza Tangsiri, on March 26, 2021, amid fears he could potentially lead the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in a more dangerous capacity. This revelation comes from an exclusive account by The Jerusalem Post, who has learned that senior Israeli officials viewed Tangsiri as a much more formidable and creative commander than his eventual successor, Ahmad Vahidi, who was seen as a deputy to top commanders.\n\nTop Israeli officials believed Tangsiri could pose a significant threat to the Strait of Hormuz and overall naval conflicts. On March 19, an Israeli official named Cooper made a secret phone call to Israel's Defense Chief of Staff, Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir, urging his assassination. Zamir approved of the plan, and on March 26, Israel carried out the assassination of Tangsiri. The Post has also disclosed that the Israeli Navy provided crucial intelligence that likely played a role in the decision to target Tangsiri.\n\nThe timing of the call to Zamir on March 19 raised questions, especially as US sources had claimed Iran was not engaging in significant sea-mining activities until the conflict subsided in mid-April. The Post reveals that the US was uncertain and had varying levels of confidence regarding Iran's intentions regarding sea-mining. Nevertheless, both Israeli and American sources acknowledged that their concerns did not amount to issuing concrete orders.\n\nIn essence, Cooper's phone call to Zamir can be seen as a preemptive move to address a potential future strategic problem. From an Israeli perspective, there were multiple reasons to assassinate Tangsiri, including his potential future role in the IRGC. The Israeli government's support for the operation contributed to its successful execution.",
  "summary": "Israeli officials viewed Alireza Tangsiri as a highly creative and resourceful commander, fearing he could become a more formidable IRGC chief than Ahmad Vahidi, The Jerusalem Post has learned.",
  "key_points": [
    "Israeli officials feared Alireza Tangsiri could lead IRGC more dangerously.",
    "Israeli official Cooper called for Tangsiri's assassination on March 19.",
    "Tangsiri was assassinated on March 26, 2021, with Israeli Navy's intelligence aid."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": "https://urgent.news/ill/12902105.png",
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Middle East Eye",
        "title": "Iran will not abandon uranium enrichment, nuclear chief says",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/iran-will-not-abandon-uranium-enrichment-nuclear-chief-says",
        "published": "2026-10-08T16:04:58.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Business Recorder",
        "title": "Iran will not abandon uranium enrichment or hand over its uranium, nuclear chief says",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/iran-will-not-abandon-uranium-enrichment-or-hand-over-its-uranium",
        "published": "2026-10-08T16:18:05.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Iran will not abandon uranium enrichment or hand over its uranium, nuclear chief says",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/iran-will-not-abandon-uranium-enrichment-or-hand-over-its-uranium-12912812",
        "published": "2026-10-08T17:32:03.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}