Senior Iranian Leader Ali Larijani Killed in Airstrike; Tehran Calls It Major Blow in War With US, Israel

Iran has acknowledged the deaths of senior security figure Ali Larijani and Basij commander Gen. Gholam Reza Soleimani, following an air strike that Israel says targeted top officials. The announcement comes during the third week of the conflict between Iran, Israel and the United States.

Ali Larijani and Gholam Reza Soleimani Killed in Israel-Iran war leadership

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz stated that Larijani and Soleimani were "eliminated" on Tuesday night. Israel described the operation as an overnight raid aimed at weakening Iran’s leadership. Iranian media framed the attack as part of wider hostilities with the US and Israel across the region.

Hours before Iran confirmed the deaths, Israel said its forces had struck two senior Iranian security officials, including Larijani. The strike formed part of efforts to erode Iran’s command structure during the ongoing confrontation. Tehran’s confirmation followed new launches of missiles and drones towards Israel and Gulf neighbours.

Ali Larijani role in Iran confirms internal power structure

Larijani, 67, had been seen as one of Iran’s most influential leaders since Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s death. Larijani was widely regarded as a central figure in Tehran’s struggle to preserve the system. Iranian reports often described Larijani as the right-hand aide of Khamenei before the February 28 strike.

Following Khamenei’s killing in an Israeli attack on February 28, Larijani’s public profile increased sharply. The new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has not appeared in public since succeeding the late Ayatollah. Larijani instead became the visible face of decision-making as Iran confronted foreign pressure and domestic unrest.

Iran confirms Ali Larijani strike details and wartime background

Fars news agency reported that Larijani was hit by "American and Zionist regime fighter jets" while visiting family. The strike occurred at a house in the Pardis district, east of Tehran, where Larijani was at a daughter’s residence. Israel said the same raid also killed Soleimani.

Larijani earlier served as a Revolutionary Guards commander during the Iran-Iraq war. Analysts in Iran often described Larijani as pragmatic yet unyielding on protecting the theocratic system. Larijani later became parliamentary speaker and a senior policy adviser, shaping responses to both foreign pressure and street protests.

As a senior adviser, Larijani reportedly guided Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on strategy during nuclear talks with the Trump administration. The U.S. Treasury sanctioned Larijani in January, accusing Larijani of "coordinating" Iran’s violent response to nationwide demonstrations. Iranian authorities said those protests threatened the system that has ruled for 47 years.

An Iranian agency, Mizan, quoting the Revolutionary Guard, earlier confirmed Soleimani’s death before Tehran’s broader statement. Both Larijani and Soleimani were identified as central figures in the violent crackdown on protests in January. Soleimani had already faced sanctions from the U.S., the European Union and several other countries for suppressing dissent through the Basij.