Tehran: Iran has confirmed that senior official Ali Larijani and Basij commander Gholamreza Soleimani were killed in reported U.S.-Israeli airstrikes, marking a major escalation in the ongoing conflict. The killings remove two key figures from Iran’s political and paramilitary leadership at a time of heightened regional tensions.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said the strikes took place overnight, stating: “I have just been updated by the chief of staff that Larijani, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, and the head of the Basij — Iran’s central repression apparatus — (Soleimani), were eliminated last night.”
Israel says Iran security chief killed in strikes as Tehran continues regional attacks
Iranian authorities later confirmed Larijani’s death and said members of his family and security detail were also killed.
Details of the strikes
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council confirmed the assassination and described Larijani as a long-serving official. In a statement, it said: “The pure souls of the martyrs embraced the purified soul of God’s righteous servant, martyr Dr Ali Larijani.”
It added: “After a lifetime of struggle for the advancement of Iran and of the Islamic Revolution, he ultimately attained his long-held aspiration, answered the divine call, and honourably achieved the sweet grace of martyrdom in the trench of service.”
According to Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency, Larijani, 67, was killed in an air attack while visiting his daughter in the eastern outskirts of a Tehran suburb. Officials said his son and bodyguards were also among those killed.
A message shared on Larijani’s account on X stated: “O beloved nation and people of Iran! … A servant of God has joined his Lord as a martyr.”
Basij commander killed, IRGC warns of response
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed the killing of Soleimani, who led the Basij paramilitary force. The group described the strike as an assassination and warned of retaliation.
In a statement, the IRGC said: “This cowardly assassination reflects the importance and role of the Basij in the comprehensive battlefield against the terrorist army of the United States and the Zionist regime and their mercenaries, especially in the recent war.”
It further warned: “We warn the evil and terrorist murderers of this high-ranking martyr that the Basij will never abandon the bloodlust of the martyred leader, martyred commanders, and various members of the people’s martyrs.”
The IRGC added that the killings would “double the will of the heroic Iranian nation and all the Basij fighters to continue the path of resistance.”
Escalation and regional implications
The assassinations follow earlier strikes that killed Ali Khamenei, significantly reshaping Iran’s leadership structure. The conflict, triggered by U.S. and Israeli strikes, has since expanded across the region.
Israeli military spokesperson Brigadier General Effie Defrin indicated further operations may continue, saying: “We don’t know about Mojtaba Khamenei, we don’t hear him, we don’t see him, but I can tell you one thing: we will track him down, find him, and neutralise him.” referring to Mojtaba Khamenei.
The situation remains fluid, with continued exchanges raising concerns about further escalation in the Middle East.
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