‘Cut off the head of the snake’: US says IRGC HQ destroyed in strike – Watch video
Times of India
by TOI WORLD DESKMarch 1, 2026
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The United States has claimed to have destroyed the headquarters of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), describing the attack as a decisive blow that “cut off the head of the snake.” In a statement, US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that large-scale strikes had wiped out the IRGC’s main command facilities, with President Donald Trump highlighting battlefield gains, including the killing of 48 Iranian leaders and the destruction of nine Iranian naval vessels. However, Iran has denied these claims, accusing the U.S. of excessive casualties and losses.
The conflict escalated further after joint US-Israeli bombardments began, targeting Iran and its allies in the region. These strikes reportedly killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and caused significant damage to infrastructure across Iran, including explosions in major cities like Tehran, Dubai, Doha, and Manama. The U.S. military deployed advanced assets, such as B-2 stealth bombers and naval forces, to carry out precision strikes under Operation Epic Fury. While the U.S. has achieved notable battlefield successes, it has also suffered casualties, with three service members killed and five seriously wounded.
The regional impact of the conflict extends beyond Iran and Israel. Tehran has retaliated by launching missiles and drones at Israeli cities and US military installations in the Gulf, including attacks on American bases in Kuwait and Bahrain. This has led to widespread chaos, with airspace closures stranding hundreds of thousands of travelers. In Pakistan, anti-American protests turned violent, resulting in nearly two dozen deaths as protesters attempted to storm a U.S. consulate.
The conflict has sparked strong reactions from political leaders. Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries condemned the U.S. military’s casualties as “heartbroken news” and urged Congress to avoid further escalation, calling the decision to go to war “reckless.” Meanwhile, US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz emphasized the importance of defending freedom, stating, “Freedom is never free.”
With Iran’s provisional governing council meeting to select a successor for its Supreme Leader and Washington vowing to continue heavy bombing campaigns, fears of a broader regional war and deepening global economic instability are growing. The
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Originally published on Times of India on 3/1/2026