Additionally, CENTCOM announced that over 20 Iranian navy vessels have been struck or sunk as part of Operation Epic Fury, including a Soleimani-class vessel.
Iranian Kurdish opposition forces are expected to take part in a ground operation in Western Iran in the coming days, a senior Iranian Kurdish official told CNN.
The IRGC has tightened its grip on Tehran after the death of Ali Khamenei, shifting to a decentralized command structure that empowers mid-ranking officers to launch independent retaliatory strikes.
"If Israel attacks Iran’s embassy, all of this regime’s embassies will be legitimate targets," Shekarchi said.
South Asian allies-turned-foes have engaged in their worst fighting in years following Pakistani airstrikes on major Afghan cities last week.
The conflict erupted after Israel and the US launched air strikes on Iran over the weekend, killing the Islamic Republic's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, after which Iran launched missiles in response.
The contact landed as Iran’s leadership structure was thrown into deeper disarray by continued Israeli strikes, complicating even the basic question of who can commit Iran to any ceasefire.
Additionally, the leader of the terror unit that tried to assassinate US President Donald Trump was killed by the US in Operation Epic Fury, Hegseth confirmed.
The US is reaching out to Kurdish Iranian opposition groups as tensions rise, following airstrikes on Iran. Kurdish factions recently formed a coalition to oppose the Iranian regime.
Beyond what many see as a recent betrayal, the reality for Kurds in the Islamic regime will likely only worsen if the US and Israel fail to secure regime change.
Iran’s current strikes could open a window for Israel to improve ties with Gulf states, but caution is needed as fears of Israeli influence and anti-Israel narratives persist, says expert.
