Israel says it has killed Alireza Tangsiri, the commander of the naval arm of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, in a targeted air strike.

In a video statement, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said the attack was carried out “last night, in a precise and lethal operation,” and also struck other senior naval officers.

Katz claimed Tangsiri had been directly responsible for operations targeting shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, including mining activities aimed at disrupting maritime traffic.

The reported killing comes amid an ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran that began on February 28, with Israel announcing a series of high-profile assassinations of Iranian officials. Those claims have included the deaths of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and senior political figure Ali Larijani.

However, Iranian authorities have not yet confirmed Tangsiri’s death. Reporting from Tehran, Al Jazeera correspondent Tohid Asadi said that if confirmed, the killing would mark another significant blow to Iran’s military leadership, which has faced repeated strikes since the conflict escalated.

Other figures reportedly killed in recent attacks include Gholamreza Soleimani, head of the Basij paramilitary forces, and Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib.

In parallel, Israeli forces have intensified operations against Iranian naval capabilities. Recent strikes have reportedly targeted ships and support vessels, including missile-equipped craft, in the Caspian Sea.

Iran has yet to issue a comprehensive response to the latest claims.

A surge in violence along the Tajikistan–Afghanistan border is prompting Tajikistan to recalibrate its policy toward Afghanistan, combining tighter security measures with cautious diplomatic engagement.

Earlier this month, Tajik lawmakers approved a $57 million deal for China to finance and build nine new border posts, underscoring Beijing’s expanding role in regional security.

The move follows a series of deadly incidents, including attacks that killed five Chinese nationals and clashes with smugglers that left several Afghan civilians and Tajik guards dead.

The violence reflects growing instability along the rugged frontier, much of it tracing the Panj River, with armed incidents rising sharply and drug seizures increasing significantly, according to Tajik authorities.

Alongside bolstering border infrastructure, Dushanbe is stepping up engagement with the Islamic Emirate. Recent months have seen unprecedented high-level contacts, including calls and meetings between Amir Khan Muttaqi and Sirojiddin Muhriddin, as well as talks with Tajik envoy Sadi Sharifi.

Once a staunch critic of the Islamic Emirate, Tajikistan’s President Emomali Rahmon’s government is gradually adopting a more pragmatic approach. Since the reopening of border markets in 2023, trade and security contacts have quietly expanded, with officials now openly acknowledging cooperation on energy and border security.

Analysts say the shift reflects a mix of rising security threats, regional pressure from partners like China and Russia, and the reality that the Islamic Emirate remain firmly in control in Kabul. While China funds infrastructure and Russia continues to support military training, experts describe the arrangement as a “division of labor” rather than a shift in regional influence.

Despite lingering concerns, observers note a clear warming in ties between Dushanbe and Kabul, driven as much by necessity as by strategy.

The Torkham border crossing was reopened on Thursday at 2 p.m. for Afghan migrants returning to the country after nearly a month of closure.

According to reports, the reopening has allowed the flow of Afghan returnees from Pakistan to resume, with many families entering Afghanistan through the crossing.

Torkham is considered one of the most important crossing gateways between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Its closure had created significant challenges for migrants and disrupted crossing movement.