US says IRGC headquarters destroyed in Tehran strike: 'Cut off the head of the snake'

CENTCOM also shared a video of the operation, showing a missile fired from a US frigate striking and destroying multiple buildings in what it described as a single, major strike on the IRGC Joint Headquarters. (Screengrab from the video)

• US strike hits IRGC HQ in Tehran, killing top leaders
• Operation Epic Fury targeted over 1,000 Iranian military sites
• Iran appoints interim leadership after Khamenei's reported death

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The United States Central Command (CENTCOM), in the wee hours of Monday, announced the destruction of the headquarters of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Tehran, describing the strike as having “cut off the head of the snake.”

In a statement posted on social media, CENTCOM said, “The Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) killed more than 1,000 Americans over the past 47 years. Yesterday, a large-scale U.S. strike cut off the head of the snake.”

“America has the most powerful military on earth, and the IRGC no longer has a headquarters,” it added.

The Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) killed more than 1,000 Americans over the past 47 years. Yesterday, a large-scale U.S. strike cut off the head of the snake. America has the most powerful military on earth, and the IRGC no longer has a headquarters. pic.twitter.com/WdpN7JBECr

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 1, 2026

CENTCOM also shared a video of the operation, showing a missile fired from a US frigate striking and destroying multiple buildings in what it described as a single, major strike on the IRGC Joint Headquarters.

According to a US military fact sheet, the strike formed part of “Operation Epic Fury,” launched on Saturday. The Pentagon claimed it has hit more than 1,000 Iranian targets since the start of the campaign.

In the early hours of Sunday, US officials said the offensive had killed Iran’s top leadership, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, and dismantled much of the country’s military and administrative infrastructure.

Targets included the IRGC Joint Headquarters, command and control centres, the IRGC Aerospace Forces headquarters, integrated air defence systems, ballistic missile sites, naval vessels and submarines, anti-ship missile installations, and military communications infrastructure.

The IRGC, established after Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution to safeguard the country’s Islamic system, operates directly under the authority of the Supreme Leader and had been significantly strengthened under Khamenei’s leadership.

Reiterating its position, CENTCOM said in a separate statement, “The Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) killed more than 1,000 Americans over the past 47 years. Yesterday, a large-scale U.S. strike cut off the head of the snake. America has the most powerful military on earth, and the IRGC no longer has a headquarters.”

The Israeli military said it had also carried out strikes on dozens of Iranian military command centres, including IRGC facilities, intelligence headquarters, IRGC Air Force command centres, and internal security headquarters.

According to the Israeli statement, the attacks dealt a severe blow to Iran’s command-and-control capabilities and resulted in the elimination of personnel stationed at key facilities.

The joint US-Israeli operations continued into Sunday following the reported killing of Khamenei .

Explosions were reported in Tehran on Sunday night, with Israel stating that its attacks targeted the heart of the capital. Iran responded by launching missiles and drones at Israel, US military installations in the Gulf region, the Saudi capital Riyadh, and Dubai.

Earlier on Sunday, Iran appointed 66-year-old cleric Alireza Arafi to a three-member leadership council tasked with governing the country until a new supreme leader is chosen.

The interim arrangement comes amid heightened regional tensions and ongoing military exchanges between Iran, the U.S., and Israel.