Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has announced the death of Ali Larijani, the figure widely considered the de facto leader of the Iranian regime following the passing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Larijani, who served as the Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, was a central pillar of Tehran's power structure.
According to Katz, the high-ranking official was killed during a series of precision overnight airstrikes conducted by the Israeli Air Force. The operation marks a significant escalation in the ongoing confrontation between the two regional adversaries.
The IDF also confirmed the elimination of Gholamreza Soleimani, who for six years commanded the Basij, the paramilitary wing of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Soleimani’s units gained international notoriety for their brutal suppression of anti-government protests in early 2026. As of now, official Iranian state media has not commented on the reports.
A veteran of Iranian politics, Larijani consolidated immense authority in the power vacuum left by Khamenei's death. He was the primary architect of the regime's strategic policies, overseeing the nuclear portfolio, managing Tehran's regional alliances, and coordinating internal security operations.
Analysts suggest that the loss of such a high-profile figure creates a critical leadership vacuum within Iran's security apparatus. The assassinations are expected to trigger intense infighting among IRGC factions as they struggle for control amid sustained military pressure from Israel.