Israel makes major claim, says Iran's top military commanders killed in airstrike

Tel Aviv: Even as the Third Gulf War rages in the Middle East with unabated intensity, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have made a major claim. The IDF has stated that Ali Larijani—the Chief of Iran's Supreme National Security Council and the country's top security official—was targeted in an airstrike carried out in Iran during the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday. However, it remains unclear whether Larijani was killed or injured in this attack. Furthermore, the Israeli military has also claimed to have killed Gholamreza Soleimani, a top commander of the IRGC's Basij Force, during the overnight strike.

What has Israel claimed?

Going a step further, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has asserted that Larijani was indeed killed in the IDF strike. This claim by Israel has caused a stir within Iran. However, there has been no comment from the Iranian side regarding this matter so far. The IDF has stated that Soleimani's alleged killing constitutes a major blow to Iran's "command-and-control structure." Following the recent deaths of Ali Khamenei and other senior members of Iran's leadership, Ali Larijani was widely regarded as the most powerful figure currently leading Iran's war effort. Ali Larijani was reportedly last seen on March 13, during Quds Day.

"Yesterday, the IDF targeted & eliminated Gholamreza Soleimani, who operated as commander of the Basij unit for the past 6 years. Under Soleimani, the Basij unit led the main repression operations in Iran, employing severe violence, widespread arrests, and the use of force against civilian demonstrators," the IDF said in a statement on social media.

Who is Ali Larijani?

Larijani—who previously served as a nuclear negotiator and currently holds the position of Secretary of Iran's National Security Council—is considered one of the most influential figures within Iran's power structure. If his death is confirmed, Larijani would become the most senior Iranian official to be killed following the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Attacks in Tehran, Shiraz, and Tabriz.

Did the US declare a reward on Ali Larijani?

It is worth noting that the United States had announced a reward of up to $10 million for information regarding senior Iranian military and intelligence officials—including Larijani—who are among a list of 10 individuals linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The IDF stated that, on Monday night, it carried out attacks on several key sites and infrastructure facilities across Tehran, Shiraz, and Tabriz. The Israeli military claims that these strikes targeted a command center, launch sites, and air defense systems in Tehran, while in Shiraz, a command center belonging to the internal security forces and a ballistic missile site were struck. The IDF further claims that the attacks conducted in Tabriz neutralized additional Iranian air defense systems.