Israel announced Tuesday that it carried out a targeted overnight strike that killed one of Iran’s most powerful figures, Ali Larijani, in a major escalation of the ongoing conflict.
The Israel Defense Forces described Larijani, who served as secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, as the regime’s “effective leader” since the war began.
Larijani had been a close adviser to the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and was widely seen as a central figure directing Iran’s military response following the launch of Operation Epic Fury.
According to the IDF, Larijani played a key role in coordinating attacks and overseeing Iran’s strategic operations against U.S. and Israeli forces.
“Throughout the years, Larijani was considered one of the most veteran and senior figures within the Iranian regime leadership,” the IDF said in a statement.
The Israeli military also accused Larijani of overseeing violent crackdowns on anti-government protests inside Iran.
“During the most recent wave of protests against the Iranian terror regime, Larijani personally oversaw the massacre that was carried out against Iranian protestors,” the IDF said.
Iranian officials have not confirmed Larijani’s death.
However, a message honoring Iranian naval “martyrs” was posted to his social media account shortly before Israel announced the strike.
Larijani had recently issued a direct threat toward President Donald Trump after the president warned Iran against interfering with global oil shipments.
“Watch out for yourself—lest you be eliminated!” Larijani wrote in response to Trump’s warning about the Strait of Hormuz.
In addition to Larijani, Israel said it also eliminated another top Iranian figure in a separate strike.
The IDF confirmed the death of Gholamreza Soleimani, commander of the Basij Resistance Force, a paramilitary arm of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps.
“Yesterday, the IDF targeted and eliminated Gholamreza Soleimani,” the military said.
Officials said Soleimani led major internal repression efforts, including violent crackdowns on civilians during protests.
Under his leadership, the Basij force was accused of widespread arrests, brutality, and the use of force against demonstrators.
The group has also faced international criticism for alleged human rights abuses, including claims of recruiting child soldiers.
An Israeli official told reporters that the United States assisted in the strike targeting Soleimani.
“This was a joint U.S. and Israeli effort,” the official said, adding that multiple senior Basij figures were killed in the operation.
The coordinated strikes mark a significant blow to Iran’s leadership structure as the conflict continues to intensify.
U.S. and Israeli officials have repeatedly stated that their objective is to dismantle Iran’s military capabilities and leadership network.
The latest operation signals that high-ranking Iranian officials remain a primary target as the campaign moves forward.
The post Israel Takes Out Iran’s ‘Effective Leader’ In Overnight Strike appeared first on Real News Now.
About Author
