Commander of the IRGC Naval Special Forces Passes Away

Mohammad Nazari, the commander of the IRGC Naval Special Forces and one of the 'present commanders' involved in the detention of American sailors last year and British sailors in 2007, passed away on Tuesday evening, May 21. According to Fars News Agency, Alireza Tangsiri, the deputy commander of the IRGC Navy, announced that Mr. Nazari died while on a mission in the 'Nazaat' maritime area in the Strait of Hormuz due to a 'chemical ailment.' Tasnim News Agency reported that the cause of Mr. Nazari's death was a 'heart attack.' The IRGC's public relations also stated that he 'died while on a mission in the Nazaat area' in the Strait of Hormuz. According to Fars News Agency, Mohammad Nazari was among the 'present commanders' during the operation to detain American sailors last year and the detention of British sailors in 2007. In early April 2007, the IRGC Navy detained 15 British naval personnel who were patrolling in the border waters of the Arvandrud River on charges of 'illegal entry' into Iranian waters, all of whom were later released with a farewell and gifts from Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the then President of Iran. A number of American sailors were also detained by IRGC naval patrols on January 22 last year and were released shortly thereafter. According to Nasim Online, Qassem Soleimani, the commander of the IRGC Quds Force, visited Mr. Nazari's home after his passing. Iranian news agencies reported that this IRGC commander had 'commanded several missions, leading IRGC naval task forces dispatched to the Gulf of Aden to ensure the security of commercial vessels and ships' in recent years. Iranian media also referred to his role in training the IRGC special forces.