Israel says conducting assessment on possible expansion of offensive

A group of people in Iraq attacked the US Embassy in the Green Zone of Baghdad in protest at Hassan Nasrallah's death and clashed with security forces.

The Head of the Judicial Organization of the Armed Forces of Iran confirmed Nilforoushan’s death on Saturday, saying: "We consider the pursuit of justice for this martyr to be the right of the Islamic Republic of Iran under international legal conventions."

Born in Isfahan in 1966, Nilforoushan began his military activities in the 1980s joining the Basij and later the IRGC, holding various positions including Deputy Commander of the IRGC Ground Forces for Operations.

Iranian media outlet Student News Network (SNN) described Nilforoushan as a “key figure” with extensive battlefield experience who played a crucial role in supporting the “Resistance Axis, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and Palestinian resistance groups,” helping to strengthen their capabilities against Israel.

Following the assassination of IRGC General Mohammad Reza Zahedi in an Israeli attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus in April, Nilforoushan “assumed command of the Lebanon front,” according to the Tehran-based Fararu website.

Nilforoushan was killed in an Israeli attack on a meeting between Nasrallah, top Hezbollah members, and IRGC commanders. In a statement about Nasrallah's death, Khamenei said that the meeting was focused on designing a military plan to counter the recent wave of Israeli attacks in Lebanon.

'Sanctioned for suppressing protests'

Nilforoushan was sanctioned by the United States in October 2022 in a round of sanctions targeting Iranian officials involved in the crackdown on nationwide protests, which erupted after the death of Mahsa Amini while in police custody for allegedly violating the Islamic Republic’s mandatory hijab laws.

In a statement, the US Treasury noted that Nilforoushan “played a critical role in arresting protest leaders during previous protests” and described him as an experienced IRGC commander who had also served as a military adviser during the Syrian Civil War.

Amid Iran’s nationwide protests, Nilforoushan took to social media with a message that appeared to blame the US for stoking unrest, saying: "Listen, Mr. Biden, this is not a country that can be overthrown by media operations. To bring down Iran, you would have to pass through a sea of blood, and you do not have the capability to cross it."

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called for a cessation of fighting in the Middle East during his Saturday address to the UN General Assembly.

"Fighting has started in Lebanon again, but might cannot replace justice. There must not be any delay in reaching a comprehensive ceasefire, and the fundamental way out lies in the two-state solution," he said.

US President Joe Biden described Nasrallah death from an Israeli airstrike as "a measure of justice for his many victims, including thousands of Americans, Israelis, and Lebanese civilians."

He said Nasrallah and his organization Hezbollah "were responsible for killing hundreds of Americans over a four-decade reign of terror."

Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said in a message on Hassan Nasrallah's death the Resistance Front will deal more crushing blows on the "dilapidated and decaying body" of Israel.

Khamenei described Nasrallah as a "wise political leader" who, at the time of his death, was "busy planning to defend the defenseless people of Beirut's southern suburbs and their destroyed homes and beloved ones who have perished."

Iran's Supreme Leader said, "The foundation that Nasrallah established in Lebanon and provided direction to other centers of power will not disappear with his loss but will be strengthened by blood of the Hezbollah chief and other martyrs of the Beirut attack."

He also said that "the evil Zionist regime failed to achieve victory in this incident."