Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz has claimed that Iranian security chief Ali Larijani and Basij forces commander Gholam Reza Soleimani were killed in overnight airstrikes carried out on Monday.
According to Israeli officials, the targeted strikes were part of a broader escalation between Israel and Iran amid ongoing regional tensions. However, Iranian authorities have denied the claims, with state media publishing what it described as handwritten notes from Larijani as proof that he remains alive.
Ali Larijani, a key architect of Iran’s nuclear strategy and former secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, has played a central role in diplomatic engagements, including the Geneva negotiations. He has also been vocal in condemning the United States and Israel following recent military escalations.
If confirmed, these reported killings would mark one of the most significant blows to Iran’s leadership since the alleged February 28 strike that reportedly targeted senior officials, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
The Israeli military stated that the Basij forces, under Soleimani’s command, have been heavily involved in suppressing domestic protests in Iran through arrests and force. Analysts suggest that the death of Soleimani could weaken the Basij’s operational command and impact Iran’s internal security structure.
The situation remains fluid, with no independent confirmation of the casualties, raising concerns about further escalation in the region.
