Iran's security chief, Ali Larijani, killed in airstrike, Israel says

"If confirmed, Larijani's death would remove a pivotal figure at the heart of the regime's political and security establishment at a moment of acute crisis. Larijani and the Basij commander were eliminated overnight and joined the head of the annihilation programme, Khamenei, and all the eliminated members of the axis of evil, in the depths of hell."

"Larijani had been seen as one of the more pragmatic faces of Iran's establishment who helped steer nuclear negotiations with the west but that image later hardened. Hours after US and Israeli strikes killed Khamenei, Larijani delivered a defiant message, warning that Iran would make its enemies regret their actions and promising a forceful response."

"Born in Najaf, Iraq, in 1958 he studied in Tehran and after the Islamic revolution rose through the ranks of the state, serving as culture minister, head of state broadcasting and, for more than a decade, as speaker of parliament. As chief nuclear negotiator, he facilitated diplomatic engagement with Western powers."

Israel's defence minister announced that overnight strikes killed Ali Larijani, Iran's national security chief, and Gholamreza Soleimani, commander of the Basij paramilitary force, along with other senior Basij officials. If confirmed, Larijani's death would represent a significant blow to Iran's political and security establishment during a period of acute crisis. Larijani, born in Najaf in 1958, rose through Iran's state ranks serving as culture minister, head of state broadcasting, and parliament speaker for over a decade. Previously viewed as a pragmatic figure who facilitated nuclear negotiations with the West, his stance hardened over time. Following Khamenei's death, Larijani delivered a defiant message promising Iran would make enemies regret their actions. An Israeli official indicated the strike was postponed from the previous night after intelligence suggested Larijani would arrive at one of his hideout apartments, where he was reportedly present with his son.

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