Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced on Tuesday that the Israeli military has eliminated prominent Iranian official Ali Larijani in a recent strike. This operation reportedly also resulted in the death of General Gholam Reza Soleimani, leader of the Revolutionary Guard’s Basij force.
Details of the Airstrike
The overnight attack underscores Israel’s strategic actions against key figures within Iran. Katz stated that Larijani and Soleimani had “joined Khamenei,” referring to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a prior strike on February 28. Katz described the targeted leaders as part of an “axis of evil.”
Ali Larijani’s Background
Ali Larijani was born on June 3, 1958, and hailed from a distinguished political family in Iran. He previously served as the speaker of the Iranian Parliament from 2008 to 2020 and as a senior policy advisor. Larijani played a vital role in Iran’s nuclear strategy discussions during negotiations with the Trump administration.
- Former Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council
- Key player in coordinating responses to civil unrest
- Sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury for his roles in suppressing protests
In January, as unrest swept across Iran, Larijani was identified by the U.S. as responsible for orchestrating the violent crackdown on protests, which resulted in thousands of casualties. Previously a conservative figure, Larijani began to embrace harder-line rhetoric as domestic and international pressures mounted.
Political Implications
Lariijani’s position within Iran’s political landscape included his role in advancing discussions on Iran’s nuclear program. However, his political ambitions faced challenges, particularly when Khamenei prohibited him from running for president in 2021 due to his pragmatism and support for a return to the 2015 nuclear deal.
His brother, Sadeq Larijani, also holds significant influence, having served as the head of Iran’s judiciary. Despite his political maneuvers, Ali Larijani remained a polarizing figure within Iranian politics.
Future Developments
While Iranian state media has yet to confirm Larijani’s death, they stated that a message from his office would be forthcoming. The implications of this strike, which has removed key players from the Iranian regime, are expected to reverberate across both Iranian domestic policy and its international relations moving forward.
