Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has confirmed the death of Gholamreza Soleimani, hours after Israel announced that it had killed both the Basij leader and a senior Iranian security official during a wave of airstrikes on Tehran.
In a statement carried by Tasnim News Agency, the IRGC said Soleimani was killed in what it described as an attack carried out by the “American-Zionist enemy,” pointing to the involvement of both Israel and the United States in the broader conflict.
Earlier, Israeli officials said the strikes targeted high-ranking figures within Iran’s security structure. Among those reportedly killed was Ali Larijani, who served as secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.
Israel’s defence leadership described the operation as part of a large-scale wave of coordinated strikes across Tehran, aimed at weakening Iran’s military and internal security apparatus. According to Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz, the air raids successfully eliminated both Soleimani and Larijani.
The Basij militia, led by Soleimani, is a key paramilitary force under the IRGC and has long played a central role in maintaining internal security in Iran, including responding to protests and civil unrest.
While Iran has confirmed the death of Soleimani, there was no immediate official confirmation from Tehran regarding Larijani’s reported killing at the time of reporting. However, Iranian state media published a handwritten note attributed to Larijani commemorating sailors recently killed in a U.S. strike, adding to the uncertainty surrounding his status.
Larijani was one of Iran’s most influential political figures, coming from a prominent family deeply embedded in the country’s leadership. Over the years, he held several key positions, including serving as speaker of parliament and acting as a senior adviser on nuclear negotiations involving the administration of Donald Trump.
His reported death, if confirmed, would make him one of the most senior Iranian officials killed since the escalation of hostilities that began in late February. That escalation included large-scale strikes by the United States and Israel, during which Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, was also reported killed.
The latest developments underscore the intensity of the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel, with both sides engaging in sustained military actions that have significantly altered the region’s security landscape.
As tensions continue to rise, analysts warn that targeted strikes on high-ranking officials could further escalate the conflict, potentially drawing in more regional and global actors.
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