IRGC VOWS 'SEVERE AND REGRETFUL REVENGE'

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has vowed "severe and regretful revenge" after confirming that commander-in-chief Hossein Salami was killed in Israeli airstrikes on Friday.

"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."

"Undoubtedly, the steadfast path of that high-ranking martyr will continue with doubled motivation by the children of the revolution in the IRGC, Basij, armed forces and all the people," the statement said.

The confirmation came as Israeli strikes targeted multiple locations across Iran in an operation called "Lion's Power."