IRGC intelligence chief killed in fresh US-Israeli strikes

Major General Majid Khademi, who led the IRGC’s intelligence unit, was reportedly killed on Monday, April 6, during US-Israeli airstrikes, according to Iranian state media.

Reuters reported that the IRGC announced on its Telegram channel that Khademi was “martyred in a criminal terrorist attack carried out by the American-Zionist enemy at dawn today.” No additional details about how the incident occurred were immediately shared.

As tensions in the region continue to rise, India has been working to safeguard its energy supply routes. An Indian-flagged LPG carrier, Green Asha, successfully passed through the Strait of Hormuz, becoming the ninth vessel to do so since February 28, officials told ANI.

The ship is expected to arrive at an Indian port within the next 24 to 36 hours. Its journey follows that of Green Sanvi, which earlier this month transported 46,655 metric tonnes of LPG and is currently being escorted toward Dahej in Gujarat.

To ensure the steady flow of energy supplies amid growing risks, the Indian Navy has been facilitating the safe movement of commercial vessels under Operation ‘Urja Suraksha’.

Although naval ships do not enter the Persian Gulf, they stay in continuous contact with Indian-flagged vessels and provide navigational assistance as they pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Escort duties are then taken over by warships in the Gulf of Oman and the North Arabian Sea.

Other recent shipments include Jag Vasant, which delivered more than 47,000 metric tonnes of LPG to Kandla, and Pine Gas, which transported 45,000 metric tonnes to New Mangalore port.

Meanwhile, another vessel, Jag Vikram, is currently stationed near the entrance of the Strait, awaiting permission to begin its journey.

On the conflict front, violence has continued unabated. Israel’s military reported carrying out another round of strikes targeting locations in Tehran, while Iranian media said residential areas were also hit.

According to Al Jazeera, at least 34 people were killed across Iran on Monday—23 in Tehran, five in Qom, and six in Bandar-e Lengeh. Reuters noted that six children were among the victims.

In retaliation, Iran launched missile strikes on Israel, hitting at least 15 sites.

Air raid sirens sounded in northern regions, including Haifa, where rescue teams recovered two bodies from a damaged residential building. Several individuals are still unaccounted for.

The impact of the conflict is spreading across the Gulf region. Authorities in Fujairah responded to a suspected drone attack targeting infrastructure, while in Abu Dhabi, debris from intercepted missiles injured a Ghanaian national.

Officials in the region have warned that threats are intensifying, with thousands of missiles and drones reportedly launched since the conflict began.

The Strait of Hormuz continues to play a critical role in global energy security. UAE diplomatic adviser Anwar Gargash emphasised that maintaining freedom of navigation is essential, calling it a “global economic necessity” for any future agreement.

Meanwhile, the United States, Iran, and regional intermediaries are discussing a proposed 45-day ceasefire, which could lead to a broader deal, Axios reported, citing multiple sources.

However, a senior Iranian official told Reuters that Iran will not reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for a temporary ceasefire, underscoring its firm position during ongoing negotiations.