IRGC AIR FORCE COMMANDER HAJIZADEH KILLED IN ISRAELI STRIKES

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Air Force commander Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh was killed in Israeli airstrikes on Friday, Fars news agency reported.

Hajizadeh oversaw Iran's missile and drone programs as head of the IRGC's aerospace division.

His death follows the killing of other top Iranian commanders including IRGC chief Hossein Salami and Armed Forces Chief Mohammad Bagheri.

"The miscalculation and crime of the sworn enemies of Iran and Iranians will not go unanswered and they must expect severe and regretful revenge," the IRGC said in a statement.

The IRGC confirmed Salami and several bodyguards and colleagues were killed in the "criminal and terrorist" attack on the Guards headquarters "while carrying out national security duties."

The statement described Salami as "one of the most prominent commanders of the Islamic Revolution" and said he was killed while "defending the ideals of the revolution and nation."

The IRGC also blamed the United States for the attack, saying "the criminal Zionist regime will pay a heavy price for this crime committed with the knowledge of the vile rulers of the White House and the terrorist American regime."