Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced Tuesday that Israeli forces killed Iran's Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani and Basij paramilitary commander Gholamreza Soleimani in overnight airstrikes near Tehran, marking the highest-profile assassinations since the ongoing Middle East conflict began.
The announcement comes amid continuing tensions following the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on March 1, 2026, which triggered the most dangerous international crisis since the Cold War. Larijani, 68, has been considered one of Iran's most influential political figures and a key architect of the country's security policy.
Breaking: Israeli Claims of High-Profile Elimination
Speaking to reporters Tuesday morning, Defense Minister Katz stated he had 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."
The Israeli military described the operation as a "precise attack that ended with the life" of Larijani while he was near Tehran. If confirmed, Larijani would be the most senior Iranian official killed since Khamenei's death in the opening days of "Operation Epic Fury" – the largest coordinated US-Israeli military campaign since the 2003 Iraq invasion.
Iran's Response and Contradictory Reports
Iranian state media has yet to confirm Larijani's death. However, at least two Iranian news agencies, Tasnim and Mehr, announced that a message from Larijani's office would be published "within minutes," creating confusion about his status.
Iranian state television published a handwritten note by Larijani commemorating Iranian sailors killed in a U.S. attack, whose funeral was expected Tuesday. The timing and authenticity of this note remain unclear as verification challenges persist during active military operations.
"The announcement comes amid an information warfare environment where conflicting claims highlight the verification difficulties during ongoing operations."
— Military Analysis Source
Who is Ali Larijani?
Ali Larijani has been a central figure in Iran's political establishment for decades. As Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, he wielded significant influence over Iran's foreign policy and security decisions. He previously served as Speaker of Iran's Parliament and was considered a pragmatic conservative within the Iranian political system.
Military sources described Larijani as the figure "who de facto directed the entire Iranian regime" and "the hostilities against the entire region." His elimination would represent a severe blow to Iran's decision-making apparatus during the current succession crisis following Khamenei's death.
Basij Commander Also Targeted
Alongside Larijani, Israeli forces claim to have killed General Gholamreza Soleimani, commander of Iran's Basij paramilitary forces. The Basij, a volunteer militia estimated at several million members, has been instrumental in suppressing domestic protests and serves as a key pillar of the Islamic Republic's internal security.
The targeting of both the Supreme National Security Council chief and the Basij commander suggests a coordinated effort to disrupt Iran's security and decision-making infrastructure during the ongoing succession crisis.
Context: Ongoing Middle East Crisis
The claimed assassinations occur against the backdrop of the most dangerous Middle East crisis in decades. Following Khamenei's confirmed death on March 1, Iran launched "Operation True Promise 4" – a massive retaliation campaign that has caused casualties across the Gulf region:
- UAE: 1 civilian killed in Abu Dhabi, Dubai International Airport shut down
- Kuwait: 32 foreign nationals injured in airport drone strikes
- Qatar: 8 injured despite successfully intercepting 65 missiles and 12 drones
- Israel: 9 killed, 28 wounded in Beit Shemesh residential strikes
- Cyprus: RAF Akrotiri attacked – first European territory struck since WWII
Global Implications
The conflict has triggered unprecedented global disruptions. Over 18,000 flights have been cancelled worldwide – the most extensive aviation crisis since COVID-19. Eight Middle Eastern countries have simultaneously closed their airspace, while oil prices have surged past $80 per barrel with Iran threatening to close the Strait of Hormuz, which carries 40% of global seaborne oil transit.
A three-member transitional council currently governs Iran following Khamenei's death, with Mojtaba Khamenei (the late Supreme Leader's son) emerging as the favored successor in what would be the Islamic Republic's first hereditary succession.
International Response
The European Union has activated emergency evacuation protocols for the first time, with over 115,000 Australians and 30,000 Germans stranded in the region. The UN Security Council has held multiple emergency sessions, with Secretary-General António Guterres warning of a "serious threat to international peace and security."
President Trump has demanded Iran's "unconditional surrender" and claimed the right to choose Iran's next Supreme Leader, marking the most direct assertion of American control over Iranian affairs since 1979.
Nuclear Dimension
The crisis erupted despite diplomatic breakthrough at Geneva talks that achieved "broad agreement on guiding principles" – the most progress in US-Iran nuclear negotiations since the JCPOA collapse in 2018. However, fundamental disagreements over Iran's ballistic missile program and regional proxy forces proved insurmountable.
Iran continues enriching uranium at 60% purity with over 400kg of material – approaching weapons-grade levels sufficient for multiple nuclear weapons if weaponized, according to nuclear experts.
Looking Ahead
The elimination of such high-profile Iranian officials, if confirmed, would represent a significant escalation in what UN officials have called "the greatest test of multilateral cooperation and crisis management in the modern era."
As the crisis enters its third week, the stakes include regional war prevention, global energy security, nuclear governance credibility, and international law enforcement mechanisms. The outcome will likely set precedents for diplomatic versus military solutions to international disputes for decades to come.
The verification of these latest claims remains critical as the international community grapples with the most dangerous geopolitical crisis since the Cold War, with implications extending far beyond the Middle East to global energy markets, supply chains, and the fundamental principles of international stability.