Iran confirms death of another senior IRGC official in Israeli attacks

A British destroyer in the northern Indian Ocean was intercepted in the Persian Gulf, Iran’s navy said, accusing the warship of guiding Israeli missiles toward Iran.

“Combat drones issued a warning that prevented the warship’s advance into the Persian Gulf,” the navy added, saying it forced the vessel to change course.

While Iran says the fire at the Fajr Jam refinery has been contained, videos show it is still burning following the Israeli airstrike.

Located in Bushehr province, Fajr Jam is one of the largest gas refineries in the Middle East.

Iranian student activist Motahareh Gounei was re-arrested after posting criticism of Iran’s leadership on X.

Freed from prison in March, she wrote: “This hell may have many fueling its flames, but it was built by one devil alone: religious despotism.”

Gounei, a final-term dental student at Tehran University of Medical Sciences, had previously been barred from continuing her studies.

A photo of IRGC Quds Force commander Esmail Ghaani appeared among the victims of Israeli airstrikes during a program on Iranian state TV, fueling speculation that he may have been killed.

Iranian authorities have not yet confirmed his death.

“18 provinces across the country are affected by the Israeli attacks,” said Babak Mahmoudi Khaledi, a spokesman for the Red Crescent Society.

1,414 relief personnel are participating in the aid operations as part of 362 specialized teams, he added.