Israeli Strike Kills Top Iranian Officials, Defense Minister Says

Israel has announced the killing of two senior Iranian figures following overnight airstrikes, marking a major escalation in the ongoing conflict with Iran.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said the strikes eliminated Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, and Gholamreza Soleimani, commander of the Basij paramilitary force.

According to Israeli authorities, the operation was part of a broader military campaign targeting key figures within Iran’s security and political structure. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) described Larijani as one of the most senior figures in Iran’s leadership and a close ally of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Israeli officials alleged that Larijani played a central role in overseeing crackdowns on anti-government protests, while Soleimani was accused of leading violent repression through the Basij forces, including mass arrests and the use of force against civilians.

A senior Israeli official said the strikes were carried out with intelligence support from the United States, describing the operation as a joint effort targeting multiple high-ranking Basij officials in different locations, including Iran’s capital, Tehran.

The development comes weeks after Israel launched military operations against Iran, with backing from U.S. President Donald Trump. The conflict has since intensified, drawing global attention and raising concerns about wider regional instability.

Prior to his reported death, Larijani had been listed under a U.S. government rewards programme offering financial incentives for information on senior figures linked to Iran’s security apparatus.

There has been no immediate confirmation from Iranian authorities regarding the deaths, as tensions continue to escalate across the region.