Senior Iranian Quds Force Official Killed in Israeli Strikes in Beirut

A senior Iranian military commander with ties to Hezbollah was killed in an Israeli Navy strike in Beirut on Tuesday, the Israeli army said.

The Israeli military identified the deceased as Reza Khazaei, who led the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ (IRGC) Quds Force efforts to support Hezbollah’s military development. Khazaei also served as chief of staff for the Quds Force’s Lebanon Corps.

“As part of his role, Khazaei acted as the right-hand man to the corps commander and was a central figure in Hezbollah’s force buildup,” the Israeli army said.

The statement said Khazaei was responsible for coordinating between Hezbollah and Iran, particularly in matching the militant group’s operational needs with Iranian resources. He reportedly oversaw extensive programs to transfer weapons from Iran to Hezbollah and managed the group’s arms production activities within Lebanon.

The military also said Khazaei played a leading role in rehabilitating Hezbollah’s offensive capabilities following the 2023-2024 conflict with Israel, including the reconstitution of forces and integration of Iranian weaponry.

Khazaei’s death highlights Israel’s continued focus on targeting Iranian military officials and their networks in Lebanon, amid ongoing concerns about Hezbollah’s rearmament and regional influence.