Israel and U.S. say Iranian Navy Commander killed in air strike - Middle East Conflict on 26 March

Israel and U.S. say Iranian Navy Commander killed in air strike - Middle East Conflict on 26 March
An Israeli artillery unit fires towards Lebanon, as the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran continues, in northern Israel, March 26, 2026.
Reuters

Israel said it had killed Iranian Navy Commander Alireza Tangsiri in an air strike on Thursday (26 March), as multiple reports emerged of Tehran allowing some ships through the Strait of Hormuz. 

Israel says it killed Alireza Tangsiri 

Israel said it had killed Iranian Naval Commander Alireza Tangsiri on Thursday, a claim which was repeated by U.S. Central Command. 

Israel's Defence Minister, Israel Katz, said Tangsiri was "directly responsible for the terrorist act of bombing and blocking the Strait of Hormuz.” 

There was no immediate confirmation from Iran as to Tangsiri’s condition. 

Reports of ships sailing though Strait of Hormuz 

U.S. President Donald Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said that Iran was letting some vessels pass through the Strait of Hormuz. 

The sea passage between the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman has been effectively blocked by Iran since the U.S. and Israel launched attacks on February 28.

Trump indicated that the Iranian government had allowed 10 oil tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz as a goodwill gesture.

Ibrahim said Malaysian vessels were being allowed to traverse the waterway following talks with Iran and other countries. 

In further signs of Iran relaxing its blockade of the sea route, the Iranian Embassy in Spain said it would be receptive to any request from Madrid related to the Strait of Hormuz. 

The concession would be the first offered to an EU state by Iran. 

Trump rebukes NATO allies 

U.S. President Donald Trump criticised NATO allies for refusing to get involved in the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran in remarks at a White House press conference. 

"When I told NATO, [which] we give billions... do you mind coming up and giving us a little hand with the straits? They didn't want to get involved and I think that's going to cost them dearly," Trump said. 

"I've done a great favour for the world," he added.

More people killed in missile strikes 

At least two people died in Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates, after debris from an intercepted missile fell to the ground.

As Iran continued to attack Israel, the Israeli Health Ministry reported that 149 people had been injured in Iranian strikes in the last 24 hours. 

Meanwhile, Israel carried out widespread strikes across Iran, including in the central city of Isfahan. 

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