Iran has confirmed that two of its most powerful officials, Ali Larijani and Gholamreza Soleimani, have been killed in airstrikes during the ongoing war with Israel and its allies.
Larijani was one of the most important figures in the country. He led Iran’s Supreme National Security Council and played a major role in military strategy and nuclear talks. He was also seen as one of the top decision makers after the recent death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Iranian officials said he was killed in a strike in Tehran. The attack also killed members of his family and his security team.
In a separate strike, Gholamreza Soleimani, who led the Basij force, was also killed. The Basij is a powerful group used for internal security and for dealing with protests.
Israel said it carried out the attacks as part of a wider campaign targeting Iran’s leadership and military network.
At first, there was confusion about Larijani’s fate, with early reports saying it was not clear if he survived. Iran later confirmed his death, showing how serious the situation has become.
The killings come as the war enters its third week and continues to spread across the region. More than 2,000 people have been killed so far, and key oil routes like the Strait of Hormuz have been heavily affected, pushing global energy prices higher.
Iran has already responded with missile and drone attacks on Israel and nearby areas, hitting targets in the Gulf and raising fears of a wider regional conflict.
These latest deaths add to a growing list of top Iranian leaders killed in recent weeks, leaving the country’s leadership under pressure and increasing the risk of further escalation
