Israel has claimed that a series of overnight strikes in Tehran eliminated some of Iran’s most senior political and security figures, including national security chief Ali Larijani. If confirmed, the development would mark a major escalation in the ongoing conflict between the two nations.
Iran has not officially responded to the claims. The reported killing of Larijani, a central figure in Iran’s strategic and political decision-making, would represent a significant setback for the country’s leadership during a period of heightened tensions.
According to Israeli defence officials, the strikes also targeted Gholamreza Soleimani, the commander of Iran’s Basij paramilitary force, along with other senior members of the group. The Basij is considered a key component of Iran’s internal security apparatus and has played a critical role in maintaining state control during crises.
Israeli authorities stated that these operations were part of a broader strategy aimed at dismantling Iran’s leadership structure. A statement from the Israeli prime minister’s office indicated that senior officials of the Iranian regime had been deliberately targeted.
“Larijani and the Basij commander were eliminated overnight and joined the head of the annihilation program, Khamenei, and all the eliminated members of the axis of evil, in the depths of hell,” Israeli Defence Minister Defense Minister Israel Katz was quoted as saying by the Times of Israel.
Iranian state media recently published a handwritten note attributed to Larijani, paying tribute to sailors killed in a prior US attack. Analysts suggest the note may have been written before the latest Israeli strikes, offering no confirmation of his current status.
Larijani had emerged as a key figure in coordinating Iran’s wartime political strategy. He was appointed secretary of the Supreme National Security Council in August 2025 following earlier hostilities involving the United States and Iran. In recent days, he had publicly appealed to Muslim nations for support and questioned Gulf countries over their continued cooperation with US military operations.
Prior to the escalation, Larijani was also involved in diplomatic outreach efforts alongside Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi, including engagement with regional stakeholders and mediators in Oman.
The reported strikes suggest that Israel continues to possess deep intelligence capabilities within Iran, enabling it to track and target high-level officials. Observers note that such operations would likely rely on sustained aerial dominance and coordinated intelligence inputs.
Meanwhile, Iran launched a retaliatory ballistic missile attack targeting central Israel. Emergency services reported that cluster munitions caused damage at multiple locations, including a train station. Visuals from the affected areas showed small impact craters consistent with such weapons.
Despite the damage, Israel’s emergency response agency confirmed that no injuries had been reported.
The situation remains fluid, with both sides yet to provide full clarity on the extent of the damage and casualties. Independent verification of key claims is still awaited.
In the United Arab Emirates, Air traffic has now stabilised after authorities briefly shut down the country’s airspace as a precautionary measure earlier on Tuesday. Officials indicated that the suspension was lifted once the situation was brought under control. Prior to this, the defence ministry had confirmed that the country’s air defence systems were activated to counter incoming missiles and drones believed to have been launched from Iran, highlighting the widening regional impact of the ongoing conflict.
