Ask Onix
Israeli strikes target senior Iranian figures
Israel announced on Tuesday that its air strikes near Tehran killed Ali Larijani, Iran's top security official, and Gholamreza Soleimani, head of the paramilitary Basij force. Iranian authorities have not confirmed the deaths.
Israeli officials celebrate killings
Defence Minister Israel Katz declared that Larijani and Soleimani had been "eliminated" and would join "those eliminated from the Axis of Evil in the depths of hell." The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) described Larijani as a "veteran and senior figure" who became the de facto leader of Iran's regime after the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in late February.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later stated that Israel was "undermining this regime in the hope of giving the Iranian people an opportunity to remove it."
Iranian response and background
Iranian state media has not directly addressed the Israeli claims. However, Larijani's social media accounts posted an undated handwritten note praising 84 Iranian sailors killed in a recent US submarine attack. State television also broadcast a similar message attributed to Soleimani.
The Basij, a volunteer militia under the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC), has been instrumental in suppressing dissent. The IDF accused Soleimani of leading repression during recent protests, which human rights groups say resulted in at least 6,508 deaths and 53,000 arrests.
Larijani's rise and role in Iran's security apparatus
Larijani, appointed secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council last August, was Khamenei's representative on the body and a key adviser. After Khamenei's death, he reportedly consolidated power, overseeing Iran's response to Israeli and US strikes.
Before his security role, Larijani served as Iran's chief nuclear negotiator, Speaker of Parliament for 12 years, and head of state broadcaster IRIB. Despite his hardline roots, he was later described as a "moderate conservative." His brother, Sadegh Larijani, chairs Iran's Expediency Council.
Regional fallout and economic impact
The conflict, triggered by Israeli and US strikes in February, has escalated across the Middle East. Iran's retaliatory missile and drone attacks on Israel and Arab states hosting US bases have disrupted oil production in Gulf states and exports via the Strait of Hormuz, causing a surge in global oil prices.
The IDF released footage of air strikes targeting Basij checkpoints in Tehran, while local media reported security personnel deaths in similar attacks last week.
Reactions inside Iran
Due to an ongoing internet shutdown, contact with Iranians remains limited. However, messages received by BBC Persian from opposition figures expressed relief at the news. A Tehran resident in his 30s called the killings "a very important step," while a Karaj resident in his 20s said, "I get so happy because they're criminals and have so much blood on their hands."
