Israel has claimed it killed top Iranian security official Ali Larijani and Gholamreza Soleimani, commander of the Basij unit of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), in recent strikes, though Iran has yet to confirm the claims.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz made the announcement, saying both figures were eliminated in targeted operations.
If confirmed, the killing of Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, would mark one of the highest-level assassinations in the ongoing conflict.
Strike in Tehran
The Israeli military said in a post on X that its air force, acting on intelligence, carried out a strike in central Tehran targeting Soleimani.
“Guided by precise intelligence, the Air Force conducted a targeted strike in the heart of Tehran, eliminating Gholamreza Soleimani, commander of the Basij unit over the past six years,” it said.
Iranian authorities have not commented on the claim.
Last public appearance
Larijani was last seen publicly on Friday, attending an Al-Quds Day rally in Tehran alongside President Masoud Pezeshkian, expressing support for Palestinians.
Veteran power broker
A long-time figure in Iran’s political establishment, Larijani held several key roles over the years. He served as speaker of parliament from 2008 to 2020 and was Iran’s chief nuclear negotiator between 2005 and 2007.
In August 2025, he was appointed secretary of the Supreme National Security Council by President Pezeshkian and also acted as a representative of Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei to the body.
Though once associated with the conservative Principlist camp, Larijani had in recent years been viewed as a more moderate conservative voice within the system.
His brother, Sadegh Larijani, remains an influential figure, currently heading Iran’s Expediency Council.
No confirmation from Tehran
Despite Israel’s claims, there has been no official confirmation from Tehran regarding the deaths of either Larijani or Soleimani.
The reported strikes come amid escalating tensions following the launch of the ongoing conflict on February 28, which has already seen high-profile casualties on both sides.