IRGC Navy senior strategist Mohammad Akbarzadeh killed in car crash in Kerman

Iranian media reported Tuesday that Mohammad Akbarzadeh, a senior IRGC Navy officer considered one of the architects of Iran's strategy in the Strait of Hormuz, was killed in a traffic accident in the city of Kerman.

Tuesday morning Iranian outlets reported that Mohammad Akbarzadeh, the senior IRGC Navy officer killed in a car crash overnight, was a key strategist and architect of Iran's posture in the Strait of Hormuz. The identification deepens the profile of a figure whose death The Zioneer first reported at 01:03 Tuesday — then described as the political deputy of the IRGC Navy commander, killed when his vehicle overturned in Kerman province.

By Monday 21:08 Jerusalem, three versions of the story had been published: initial reports identified him as Rear Admiral and political deputy at the Supreme Leader's representative office in the IRGC Navy; the second version specified the crash occurred in Kerman province and noted authorities had opened an investigation; the third added that he had been sanctioned by the EU earlier this month for restricting freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. Tuesday's accounts now designate him as one of the 'brains' behind IRGC maritime strategy and locate the crash in the city of Kerman itself, rather than the province.

As The Zioneer reported in recent weeks, tensions around the Strait of Hormuz have been high: on June 19 Iran threatened an indefinite closure of the waterway, and on June 9 Iran's foreign minister implied responsibility for downing a US Apache helicopter in the strait. Akbarzadeh had been sanctioned by the European Union earlier this month over the same freedom-of-navigation restrictions.

Iranian authorities have not released further details on the circumstances of the crash. The investigation announced Monday remains open.

5 developments

1. 33 minutes ago · 08:28 · 30 JunLatest

   Iranian media officially blames Israel for the senior officer's death

2. 07:06 · 30 Jun

   Identified as a senior IRGC Navy strategist and Strait of Hormuz architect.

3. 01:03 · 30 Jun

   Akbarzadeh was recently sanctioned by the EU for restricting Strait of Hormuz navigation.

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• Developing01:32 · 11 JunUnverified report: IRGC air base commander killed in Kerman, Iran
• Developing14:17 · 9 JunIranian media: IDF strike kills 2 IRGC members
• Developing01:33 · 11 JunNew unverified reports claim assassination of senior Iranian military figure

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