Israel Claims Killing of Iran’s Security Chief Larijani, Basij Commander; Tehran Yet to Respond
Israel has claimed it carried out high-profile targeted strikes that killed Iran’s senior security official Ali Larijani and Basij militia commander Gholamreza Soleimani, in what could mark a major escalation in the ongoing conflict. However, Iranian authorities have not confirmed the deaths, leaving the situation uncertain.
According to Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz, the strikes were based on precise intelligence and were aimed at key figures within Iran’s security structure. The Israeli military also said it conducted coordinated air raids targeting strategic locations in Tehran and other cities.
If verified, Larijani would be among the most senior Iranian officials killed since the conflict intensified following the earlier strike that reportedly killed former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. His role as secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council made him a central figure in shaping Tehran’s wartime strategy.
Larijani had remained publicly active in recent days and was last seen attending a pro-Palestinian rally in Tehran alongside President Masoud Pezeshkian. A handwritten message attributed to him was also circulated on social media, though it remains unclear whether it was intended to confirm he was alive.
The Israeli military further claimed that Soleimani, who led the Basij—a paramilitary force under the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)—was killed in a separate strike. The Basij plays a significant role in Iran’s internal security and has been involved in managing unrest and mobilising civilian forces.
The reported killings come amid intensified air raids and missile exchanges between the two sides. Explosions have been reported across multiple Iranian cities, including Tehran, as the conflict continues to widen in scope.
Analysts say that if the deaths are confirmed, the impact could be significant but not necessarily decisive. Iran’s political and military system is structured across multiple institutions, meaning leadership losses, while serious, may not immediately disrupt overall command.
Israel has framed the strikes as a strategic success aimed at weakening Iran’s command network. Iranian officials, however, have yet to respond to the claims, and no independent verification has been made so far.
The situation remains fluid, with regional tensions rising and both sides continuing military operations.
