Conflicting reports have emerged over the alleged assassination of Ali Larijani, one of Iran’s most powerful political figures, following Israeli airstrikes targeting senior leadership in the country.
Israel on Tuesday claimed that Larijani, who served as secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, was killed in overnight strikes. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said the operation also eliminated senior figures within Iran’s Basij paramilitary force, including commander Gholamreza Soleimani.
According to Reuters, Iranian authorities have not officially confirmed Larijani’s death, and uncertainty remains over his fate. Some reports indicate he was specifically targeted in the strikes, but it is still unclear whether he was killed or injured.
If confirmed, Larijani’s assassination would mark one of the highest-profile killings of an Iranian official in recent weeks, following the earlier death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei during large-scale US-Israeli strikes at the start of the ongoing conflict.
Larijani, a former parliamentary speaker and key figure in Iran’s security establishment, had emerged as a central power broker in Tehran in the aftermath of Khamenei’s death. Analysts say he played a major role in shaping Iran’s response to the war and internal unrest.
AP News reported that the strike is part of an intensifying military campaign by Israel targeting Iran’s leadership, military infrastructure, and allied forces across the region. Israeli officials describe the operation as a strategic effort to weaken Tehran’s command structure.
The developments have heightened fears of further escalation in the Middle East, with Iran already launching retaliatory missile and drone attacks against Israel and neighbouring countries.
As of press time, Tehran has yet to issue an official statement confirming or denying Larijani’s death, leaving the situation fluid and closely watched by the international community.
