Israel has claimed today that it killed senior Iranian official Ali Larijani in a recent wave of airstrikes, but uncertainty surrounds the announcement as Iranian sources have yet to confirm the claim and signals from Tehran suggest otherwise.
The statement was issued by Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz, who said the attack also targeted Gholamreza Soleimani, a commander of the Basij paramilitary force. Israeli military officials described the operation as part of a broader campaign to dismantle Iran’s leadership.
However, conflicting information has emerged. According to multiple reports, Israeli officials themselves have not provided definitive confirmation of Larijani’s death, with his fate still described as “unclear” in early assessments.
Iranian state media circulated a handwritten note attributed to Larijani shortly after the reported strike. The message paid tribute to Iranian sailors killed in a recent US attack, raising questions about whether the senior official remains alive.
Iran has not issued any formal confirmation or denial, a silence that analysts say reflects both the fog of war and the information battle unfolding alongside military operations.
If confirmed, Larijani would be among the highest-ranking Iranian officials targeted since the US-Israeli assault began on February 28, which has already killed top leaders including former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Larijani was last seen publicly during mass Al-Quds Day mobilizations in Tehran, where thousands gathered in solidarity with Palestine despite ongoing bombardment—an image that has since circulated widely as a symbol of continued resistance.
Observers note that Israel’s claims of targeted killings are part of a broader strategy aimed at projecting military dominance and psychological pressure. But critics caution that such actions are unlikely to decisively weaken Iran’s political structure, as leadership transitions are quickly managed within the state.
