Iran’s newly appointed defense minister Majid Ibn al‑Reza reportedly dead in US strikes on Iran

TEHRAN: Iran’s newly appointed Defence Minister Majid Ibn al-Reza has been assassinated in strikes just two days after taking office, increasing the death toll to above 700, state media reported

The fresh wave of the US-Israel joint attacks in Iran targeted 18 more of the top officials in Tehran, registering the assassination of the key position holders only far and above 50.

In response, Iran claimed that its forces destroyed one of the most advanced long‑range US radar systems in the Gulf, as the widening escalation of the conflict between Tehran, Washington and Tel Aviv takes new advancements.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said the precision strike hit the AN/FPS‑132 early warning radar located near the US‑operated Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.

The system, with an estimated range of about 5,000 kilometres and a value of more than $1.1 billion, was reportedly “destroyed” in the attack, Iranian state media and local outlets cited Iranian claims.

The Pentagon and US Central Command have not confirmed the claim. An official US response was not immediately available, and independent verification could not be obtained.

Qatar acknowledged that its air defences intercepted missiles but did not provide details on the status of the radar.

The reported destruction comes amid a broader spiral of hostilities after joint US‑Israeli strikes on Iranian targets earlier this week, which Washington says were designed to weaken Tehran’s military capabilities.

‘Defensive and offensive same’

Iran has clearly said that European countries should refrain from getting involved in the US-Israel war being imposed on Iran, warning that “defensive and offensive terms being used in Europe do not make sense,” and would be regarded as an act of war.

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“Any complicity with aggressors will be regarded as an act of war against Iran”, adding, “Defensive is a synonym for offensive, [and] it does not make sense.” But that would a shame if Germany, France and Britain take the side of the aggressor, a spokesperson said. He added, “Enough is enough”.

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