Tehran, March 1, 2026 — Iran’s state media has officially confirmed that Major General Mohammad Pakpour, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), was killed in a major airstrike conducted jointly by the United States and Israel on February 28, 2026.

According to Iranian state television and the official IRNA news agency, Pakpour lost his life during the coordinated military operation that struck strategic locations in and around Tehran. The confirmation came amid escalating regional tensions following the widespread strikes that targeted multiple senior Iranian officials.

Pakpour, a seasoned military leader born in 1961, had risen through the ranks of the IRGC over decades of service. Previously appointed commander of Iran’s elite military force in mid-2025 after the death of his predecessor, he played a central role in directing both domestic security operations and overseas engagements attributed to the IRGC.

The IRGC, a powerful branch of Iran’s armed forces with broad influence over military, political, and economic affairs, is seen as instrumental in shaping Tehran’s response to external threats. Pakpour’s death represents a significant blow to the institution and is likely to reverberate through Iran’s command structure.

While details surrounding the full extent of casualties in the airstrike remain fluid, Iran’s confirmation of Pakpour’s death underscores the profound impact of the attacks on the country’s leadership. International reactions have been mixed, with some nations calling for restraint and de-escalation to prevent further conflict in the already volatile Middle East.