Top Iranian official Ali Larijani has been reported killed in an Israeli airstrike, as confirmed by Israeli authorities.
Larijani, who held the position of Security Chief and was a key figure in the Iranian regime following the passing of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, was targeted by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) in an operation, stated Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz.
This incident marks the highest-ranking Iranian official to be eliminated since the death of Khamenei during previous US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28. Larijani had been de facto leading the regime, with reports suggesting the new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is severely injured, possibly in a coma.
According to an Israeli official, the IDF had initially planned a strike on Larijani the night before but had to delay it at the last minute. The military received intelligence on Monday afternoon pointing to an apartment where Larijani was hiding, allegedly accompanied by his son when the strike was executed.
Describing Larijani as a significant and long-standing figure within the Iranian regime, the Israeli Defense Forces emphasized his role in leading combat operations against Israel and other nations following the demise of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Larijani was last seen participating in a rally in Tehran, where he criticized US President Trump and condemned external pressures on Iran. In his message to Muslim-majority nations, he called for unity against perceived aggression from the US and Israel.
Israel’s Defense Minister instructed the IDF to continue targeting Iran’s regime leadership, emphasizing ongoing efforts to track down key figures. The military also claimed responsibility for eliminating Gholamreza Soleimani, a Basij forces commander, in a separate strike.
In a final message shared on social media, Larijani reiterated Iran’s resilience against external threats and expressed defiance towards those targeting the nation. Israeli officials have indicated that Larijani was attacked alongside his son in a covert operation.
