Israeli forces conducted overnight airstrikes in Tehran, killing Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, and Gholamreza Soleimani, commander of the Basij paramilitary force. The IDF described Larijani as Iran's 'effective leader' amid ongoing conflict. Both figures were accused of roles in suppressing anti-government protests.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that a targeted strike eliminated Ali Larijani, a veteran regime figure and close associate of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Larijani, aged 67, served as secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council and oversaw the regime's response to a joint U.S.-Israeli operation launched on February 28. The IDF stated he personally directed a crackdown on recent protests against the regime, which some estimates claim killed more than 30,000 people. The U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned Larijani in January for calling for violence against protesters. Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar confirmed the strike, noting Larijani had a $10 million U.S. bounty: “Ali Larijani had a $10 million prize on his head. We did it for free.” In the weeks before his death, Larijani posted threats on social media against the U.S., President Donald Trump, and regional bases, including: “The Ashura-loving nation of Iran does not fear your paper threats. Even those greater than you could not eliminate the Iranian nation. Watch out for yourself—lest you be eliminated!” Iran has not commented on his status, though a post appeared on his X account shortly before the announcement honoring navy martyrs. Separately, the IDF reported killing Gholamreza Soleimani, Basij commander for six years, in a joint U.S.-Israeli strike in Tehran that also targeted a dozen senior Basij members. The Basij, under Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps, has faced U.S. sanctions for human rights abuses, including protest suppression and child soldier recruitment. Strikes continue on Basij checkpoints in Tehran, amid reports of degraded Iranian missile and drone capabilities since the war's start.
