Azerbaijan’s defense minister offers condolences over death of Iranian top general

Azerbaijan’s Defense Minister Colonel General Zakir Hasanov has expressed condolences following the death of Lieutenant General Mohammad Hossein Bagheri, Chief of Staff of Iran’s Armed Forces, Azerbaijani media reported on Thursday.

In a message published on the official website of Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Defense, Hasanov said he was “deeply saddened” by the news of Bagheri’s death.

“I personally knew Lieutenant General Bagheri, a professional military leader who always showed kindness and respect,” Hasanov said. “I will remember him with the warmest memories. I extend my deepest condolences to his family.”

Bagheri was killed in a series of overnight Israeli airstrikes that targeted Iran’s military and nuclear infrastructure in multiple cities, including Tehran, Natanz, Fordow and Khorramabad.

Several other senior Iranian commanders, including Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps head Hossein Salami and Hatam-al-Anbiya commander Gholam Ali Rashid, were also reported killed in the operation.