US military says it struck Iranian corvette now sinking in Oman

A senior official at Iran’s Intelligence Ministry was killed in US and Israeli airstrikes in Tehran, state media reported, identifying him as Mohammad Baseri.

State media said Baseri was killed in US and Israeli airstrikes on the capital but did not provide further details.

Baseri had previously appeared on the FBI’s wanted list in connection with the 2007 disappearance of retired FBI Special Agent Robert A. Levinson.

In its notice, the FBI said Mohammad Baseri, described as an Iranian intelligence officer, was wanted for questioning over his alleged involvement in the abduction, detention and probable death of Levinson, who traveled to Kish Island, Iran, on March 8, 2007, and was not publicly seen or heard from after the following day.

In December 2020, the US Treasury sanctioned Baseri and Ahmad Khazai over their alleged involvement in the abduction. According to the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control designation, Baseri was described as a high-ranking MOIS officer involved in counterespionage activities inside and outside Iran, including sensitive investigations tied to Iranian national security issues.

Iran’s government said on Sunday there were no shortages of essential goods, gasoline or medicine across the country, as fighting and strikes continue.

Government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani said supplies of basic goods were fully secured nationwide and that fuel distribution, including mobile fuel stations on major roads, had been arranged to prevent congestion.

She also said ports were operating normally and that the clearance of goods was proceeding without disruption.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said on Sunday it had fired four ballistic missiles at the US aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln, according to a statement carried by Iranian media.

The claim was published by Tasnim, which cited an IRGC public relations notice describing the reported strike as part of what it called the “True Promise 4” operation

There was no confirmation of damage to the carrier or of any casualties.

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Sunday that the country’s interim leadership council has begun its work following the death of the supreme leader.

In a recorded video message, Pezeshkian offered condolences over the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed on Saturday in US-Israeli airstrikes.

He added that the country’s armed forces would leave their enemies “hopeless.”

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said an interim leadership council had begun work on Sunday after the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, framing the move as part of the constitution’s succession process.

In a recorded video message, Pezeshkian said the council started operating on Sunday, March 1, citing Article 111 of Iran’s constitution.

He also said Iran’s armed forces would continue attacks on what he called “enemy bases,” and urged supporters of the Islamic Republic to maintain a visible presence in public spaces.