Iran mourns IRGC spokesman Brigadier General Ali Mohammad Naeini after aerial targeting

The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced today, Friday, the death of its official spokesman, Brigadier General Ali Mohammad Naeini, due to airstrikes that Tehran described as having been carried out by the United States and Israel. In an official statement issued through its electronic platforms, the Guard clarified that Naeini died at dawn on the last day of the holy month of Ramadan, describing the operation as a treacherous terrorist attack that targeted one of its most prominent media and military cadres.

Iranian state television confirmed the news of Naeini's martyrdom, noting that in addition to his duties as official spokesman, he held the position of Deputy Head of the Public Relations Department in the military institution. The official statement did not reveal the exact location that was targeted or the technical details of the operation, merely indicating its timing in the early hours of dawn.

Brigadier General Ali Mohammad Naeini was considered one of the most influential media figures in the IRGC over the past two years, where he led the scene in discussing regional escalation files and direct confrontations. He was known for his frequent appearances to showcase Iranian missile capabilities and explain strategic response options amid escalating tensions with the Israeli occupation and the American administration.

The deceased was born in the city of Kashan and had a distinguished academic and military career, having obtained a doctorate in strategic management and a master's degree in defense management. In addition to his military duties, Naeini worked as a university professor and headed the College and Institute of Social and Cultural Sciences at Imam Hussein University, affiliated with the IRGC, and has numerous publications in the fields of management and defense.

Naeini's career with the IRGC began decades ago, where he held leadership positions in propaganda and culture during the Iran-Iraq War, including Deputy of Propaganda on the Najaf front and command. He later progressed through cultural and media positions to serve as cultural advisor to the IRGC commander, in addition to his duties as cultural deputy in the Basij forces.

In July 2024, a decision was issued to appoint him as Deputy for Public Relations in the IRGC, a position that paved the way for his prominence as the institution's official spokesman. Since then, Naeini has become the most prominent voice commenting on major military operations, especially the series of 'True Promise' operations that targeted Israeli depth in response to previous assassinations.

Days before his death, Brigadier General Naeini made press statements in which he affirmed that the IRGC's weapons system remained fully ready and was not affected by hostile attacks. He then indicated that Iran had used only a small part of its advanced missile arsenal, warning that any crossing of red lines would be met with unprecedented responses.

The IRGC mourned Naeini's career, which spanned more than four decades, spent protecting the revolution and documenting what is called the 'Sacred Defense' and confronting soft warfare. The statement considered that the role he played during the 'True Promise 2, 3, and 4' operations will remain etched in the history of the military institution as a model of altruism and media and field jihad.

This assassination operation comes at a time when the region is experiencing a state of maximum alert, with parties exchanging threats of widespread retaliatory strikes. Sources reported that Naeini's departure represents a loss for the IRGC's strategic communication apparatus, given his long experience in managing media crises and formulating Iranian military discourse in international forums.

Brigadier General Naeini was martyred during the heinous criminal terrorist attack committed by the Zionist-American camp at dawn.