Israeli assassination of Gen. Nilforooshan 'unforgivable': Iran MoFA
4 Min Read
The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has declared its intention to employ "all capacities" to hold "Israel" accountable for the assassination of senior IRGC general Abbas Nilforooshan.
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General Abbas Nilforooshan, the Deputy Commander for Operations of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC), in an undated photograph. (IRNA)
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran announced that the country would utilize "all capacities" to hold "Israel" accountable for the assassination of senior IRGC general Abbas Nilforooshan.
In a statement released on Monday morning, the Iranian Foreign Ministry expressed condolences to Iranian Leader Sayyed Ali Khamenei, the Iranian nation, and General Nilforooshan's family.
The statement emphasized that the history of crimes committed by the "Zionist regime" indicates that appeasing its aggressions and crimes only leads to increased violence and further offenses.
The Ministry described the assassination of this senior Iranian military figure as an illegal act and "an unforgivable crime," asserting that Iran would "undoubtedly use all its capacities to impeach and hold the Zionist regime accountable for committing this crime."
Nilforooshan was killed during intense Israeli airstrikes on Beirut's Southern Suburb, which also resulted in the martyrdom of Hezbollah’s Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah.
In response to these assassinations and other atrocities against the Islamic Republic and neighboring countries, Iran launched 200 ballistic missiles on October 1 toward critical military and intelligence targets across the occupied Palestinian territories.
Who was the martyred commander?
Born in 1966 in Isfahan, Iran, General Nilforooshan was a distinguished military leader within the IRGC, serving as the Deputy Commander for Operations. His military career began in 1980 when he joined the Basij Organization, a volunteer paramilitary group that serves conjointly with the IRGC, before formally entering the ranks of the IRGC.
His involvement in the Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988), known as the Sacred Defense in Iran, shaped much of his military philosophy and career.
During the Iran-Iraq War, Nilforooshan, despite being only 14 years old, served on both the western and southern fronts, leading several critical military operations. His courage and effectiveness during the war saw him garnering rapid promotions within the IRGC, and he became one of Iran's most respected military strategists.
Following the war, Nilforooshan pursued academic studies in strategic management, earning a Ph.D from Iran's Imam Hussein University. From 2005 to 2007, he held the position of Deputy Commander for Operations within the IRGC Ground Force.
He later commanded the IRGC Command and Staff College from 2010-2014, where he played a crucial role in training future Iranian military leaders.
In June 2019, he was appointed to the position he would later be martyred under, Deputy Commander for Operations at the order of IRGC Commander-in-Chief Major General Hossein Salami, further solidifying his role as a key figure in the military leadership of Iran.
General Nilforooshan's legacy extends far beyond his military role within Iran. He was a vital figure in coordinating efforts across the Axis of Resistance, which includes Hezbollah in Lebanon and various Palestinian Resistance factions. Through his efforts, the groups expanded their influence and military capabilities, even in the face of sustained threats from the Israeli occupation and its allies.
Known for his commitment to the Islamic Revolution's ideals, Nilforooshan championed the rights of the oppressed in the region, particularly focusing on supporting the Palestinian and Lebanese causes. His strategic vision helped unite resistance groups across different territories, enhancing their ability to combat the occupation and global oppression.
His role in planning and supporting operations across the region made him a central figure in the anti-Zionist, anti-Western Resistance network. As a military commander and a strategic thinker, he was instrumental in forging stronger ties between Iran, Hezbollah, and Palestinian factions, creating a unified front in the face of the Israeli occupation.
