Iran accuses Israel of killing four diplomats in Beirut airstrike while Israel identifies them as IRGC Quds Force commanders; US and Russia weigh in amid rising regional tensions
Tehran: Escalating tensions in the Middle East intensified further after Iran claimed that four Iranians killed in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut were diplomats, while Israel identified them as senior operatives of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force.
The four men were killed in an Israeli strike on the Ramada Hotel in the early hours of Sunday, an incident that has added another layer of volatility to the already tense regional situation.
Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, said the individuals killed in the attack were diplomatic officials serving Iran.
Iran Calls Victims Diplomats
In a letter addressed to Antonio Guterres and the president of the United Nations Security Council, Iravani stated that the four individuals were diplomats attached to Iran’s mission.
According to the communication, the victims were identified as Majid Hassani Kandsar, serving as second secretary; Alireza Bi-Azar, a third secretary; Hossein Ahmadlou, an attaché; and Ahmad Rasouli, an envoy.
Iran has described the strike as a violation of international norms and has called for attention from global institutions.
Israel Identifies Targets as Quds Force Commanders
Israeli sources, however, offered a sharply different account of the incident, identifying the deceased as senior members of the Quds Force, the external operations branch of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards.
According to Israeli officials, the individuals killed included Majid Hosseini, described as the financial officer of the Lebanon branch of the Quds Force; Ali Biazaar, an intelligence officer; Hossein Ahmadlou, who was said to head what Israel described as the “Zionist file”; and Ahmad Rasouli, identified as head of the Intelligence Department in the Palestine Corps.
The Israel Defense Forces said the individuals were involved in activities aimed at planning attacks against Israel.
“The commanders of the Quds Force's Lebanon Corps operated to advance terror attacks against the state of Israel and its civilians, while operating simultaneously for the IRGC in Iran,” the Israeli military said in a statement.
US Claims Iran’s Nuclear Capability Severely Damaged
Amid the growing confrontation, the United States made a significant claim regarding Iran’s nuclear programme.
Speaking to Media, Steve Witkoff stated that the United States had destroyed nearly all of Iran’s uranium enrichment capabilities.
“Let’s see if the Iranians want to talk,” Witkoff said, suggesting the possibility of renewed diplomatic engagement following the reported damage to Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.
Russia Calls for De-Escalation
Meanwhile, Vladimir Putin expressed support for de-escalation during a phone conversation with Masoud Pezeshkian, according to the Kremlin.
The Kremlin stated that both leaders discussed the rapidly escalating tensions in the Middle East and emphasised the need for swift measures to prevent further conflict.
Iran Releases Missile Launch Footage
Adding to the already tense atmosphere, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps released footage showing missile launches directed toward Israel.
In the video, a missile operator can reportedly be heard shouting a slogan referencing retaliation before launching a ballistic missile.
Iran’s military said it had fired Emad, Qadr, Kheybarshekan, and Fattah missiles in its latest barrage aimed at Israeli targets.
