Israel Claims to Have Killed High‑Rank Iranian Officials

Israel says it has eliminated Ali Larijani, the top aide on Iran’s security council, and Gholamreza Soleimani, a senior Basij commander. The claims came from Defence Minister Israel Katz and the Israeli military’s public statement on X. Iran has neither confirmed nor denied the reports, leaving the truth unclear. Larijani was a long‑time political heavyweight who once steered Iran’s nuclear talks and served as parliament speaker. He was last seen at an Al‑Quds Day rally in Tehran, standing beside President Masoud Pezeshkian. If the Israeli claim is true, it would mark the most senior Iranian casualty in the conflict since early February attacks on U. S. and Israeli targets. Soleimani, born 1965, heads the Basij – a volunteer militia under the Revolutionary Guard that enforces internal security. The group has been involved in crackdowns on protests, including the 2009 election riots and January’s anti‑government demonstrations. U. S. and EU sanctions list him for alleged human rights abuses.

Iranian state media posted a handwritten note from Larijani that praised 84 sailors killed in a U. S. strike on an Iranian ship. The note’s purpose is unclear, but it suggests he was alive at the time of publication. Katz tweeted that “the regime’s leaders are being killed and their capabilities terminated, ” adding that Israel will keep targeting missile and strategic sites. Meanwhile, Iranian officials warned of “treacherous aggression” from the West and called for Muslim unity against what they see as foreign interference. Experts say that even if these killings occur, the Iranian government will likely survive. A professor at Doha Institute noted that new leaders can quickly replace those removed, making the regime resilient. The international community watches closely as the war escalates. Each strike could shift power balances, but it may also deepen hostilities and complicate diplomatic efforts.

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