Israel has confirmed that Ali Larijani, the Secretary of Iran’s National Security Council, and Gholamreza Soleimani, the commander of the Basij paramilitary force, were killed in overnight strikes carried out by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that both figures were among the highest-ranking targets since the start of hostilities initiated by Israel and the United States. Larijani was considered one of the most influential decision-makers in Iran after Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Soleimani, a key pillar of internal security and repression, was also killed in the attacks.
The strikes came after Iran reportedly launched missiles into Israeli territory, prompting the IDF to conduct additional operations targeting both Iranian and Lebanese sites. Meanwhile, Tehran intensified its offensive in the Gulf, and the U.S. embassy in Baghdad experienced one of the most severe attacks since the war began, involving rockets and drones. The United Arab Emirates temporarily closed its airspace in response to renewed Iranian missile activity.
Minister Katz emphasized that Israeli forces continue to target strategic Iranian infrastructure, aiming to neutralize missile capabilities and weaken the regime’s leadership.
The incident follows a United Nations report last year that deemed a prior Israeli airstrike on Evin Prison in Tehran a “war crime,” noting the risk to detainees amid ongoing attacks. Iran’s ambassador to the UN, Ali Bahreini, condemned the recent strikes, claiming they have caused over 1,300 deaths in Iran.
Read our previous report;
Israeli Strike Reportedly Leaves Iran Powerbroker Ali Larijani Wounded?
by Our Correspondent Doha
Unconfirmed but rapidly circulating reports indicate that Israeli forces have targeted senior Iranian official Ali Larijani, leaving him seriously wounded. The incident, which has not yet been officially acknowledged by either Israel or Iran, is already fueling speculation of a significant escalation in the long-standing shadow conflict between the two regional powers.
Ali Larijani is widely regarded as one of the most prominent figures within Iran’s political and security establishment. A former Speaker of the Iranian Parliament and a close advisor to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, Larijani has played a crucial role in shaping Iran’s strategic direction over the past two decades. His influence extends across multiple domains, including national security, nuclear policy, and foreign relations, making him a key figure in Tehran’s decision-making apparatus.
In recent years, Larijani has taken on an increasingly important advisory role, particularly in matters concerning Iran’s regional posture and internal security coordination. He has also been involved in sensitive diplomatic channels, often acting as a bridge between hardline factions and more pragmatic elements within the Iranian leadership. His perceived pragmatism, combined with deep institutional ties, has positioned him as a stabilizing yet powerful force within the regime.
The reported targeting of Larijani, if confirmed, would mark a significant development in the covert hostilities between Israel and Iran. Israel has long viewed Iran’s senior leadership and security infrastructure as legitimate targets due to Tehran’s support for armed groups across the Middle East and its nuclear ambitions. However, strikes against figures of Larijani’s stature are rare and carry substantial geopolitical risk.
