ISLAMABAD: Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz announced on Tuesday that the Israeli military successfully eliminated Ali Larijani, Iran’s Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council and a key figure in the country’s leadership structure, during an overnight airstrike near Tehran.
The claim marks one of the most significant targeted operations in the ongoing US-Israeli campaign against Iran, following the earlier killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other senior officials in late February and early March strikes.
Katz described Larijani as the de facto leader of the Iranian regime in the power vacuum created by previous eliminations, stating that he and Gholamreza Soleimani, commander of the Basij paramilitary force, were “eliminated last night” in precision strikes.
The Basij, a volunteer-based militia under the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, plays a crucial role in internal security and mobilization, with Soleimani having led it since 2019 after a long career in IRGC ground forces.
Israeli officials emphasized the intelligence-driven nature of the operation, asserting it dealt a severe blow to Tehran’s remaining decision-making apparatus amid the broader war that has involved strikes on military sites, naval assets, and leadership targets.
International media outlets, including major Western networks, reported the Israeli statement promptly, with live updates highlighting the potential impact on Iran’s command chain.
However, Iranian media and official channels have not confirmed the deaths of either Larijani or Soleimani, maintaining silence on the specific claims while focusing on other aspects of the conflict.
Shortly after Katz’s announcement, a handwritten message attributed to Ali Larijani appeared on his official social media accounts, including X, paying tribute to Iranian Navy personnel killed in a prior US strike on the frigate IRIS Dena.
The undated note, written in Persian, referred to the “martyrdom of the brave members of the Navy of the Army of the Islamic Republic” and described their sacrifices as part of the nation’s struggle against “international oppressors.”
It stated that their memory would remain forever in the hearts of the Iranian people and that such martyrdoms would strengthen the foundations of the Islamic Republic’s army within the armed forces for years to come.
The post concluded with a prayer for the highest ranks for the martyrs, but made no reference to the Israeli allegations or Larijani’s personal status.
This development immediately sparked speculation and confusion, as the timing suggested either the message was scheduled or posted posthumously, or that Larijani survived the reported strike.
Some analysts noted that the note appeared unrelated to the current claims, possibly prepared earlier for a funeral ceremony related to the naval losses, which occurred off the coast near Sri Lanka earlier in March.
Iranian state outlets have indirectly cast doubt by promising an official statement from Larijani’s office without addressing the assassination reports directly.
The absence of visual evidence or independent verification from Tehran has left the claims unconfirmed from the Iranian side, a pattern seen in previous high-profile targeting announcements during the conflict.
Larijani, a veteran politician and former speaker of parliament, rose to prominence as a pragmatic yet loyal figure within the Islamic Republic’s establishment.
After the decapitation strikes that removed much of the top echelon, including Khamenei and others like Ali Shamkhani and key military commanders, Larijani assumed a central coordinating role in national security decisions.
His survival or elimination could influence internal dynamics, with hardliners potentially gaining more influence if the claim holds true.
The Basij commander’s reported death would further weaken Iran’s domestic control mechanisms, as the force is instrumental in suppressing dissent and supporting IRGC operations.
The strikes occurred against the backdrop of intensified exchanges, including Iranian responses targeting regional assets and US interests, such as the embassy in Baghdad.
Oil prices and regional stability remain under pressure, with analysts warning of further escalation if leadership losses continue unaddressed.
As of now, the conflicting narratives underscore the fog of war, with Israel’s assertions contrasting sharply against the emergence of Larijani’s message.
Tehran may issue a formal response in the coming hours, potentially clarifying whether the security chief was targeted, injured, or unaffected.
Until then, the incident adds another layer of uncertainty to an already volatile Middle East theater.