Israeli forces carried out airstrikes on Monday that targeted a senior Iranian security official, Ali Larijani, and the Israeli government believes Larijani was killed in those attacks, according to published reports. Iranian state media said on Tuesday that it intends to publish a message from Larijani soon, creating an apparent inconsistency in public statements about his status.
In a separate but related announcement, the Israeli military said it had killed Brig. Gen. Gholamreza Soleimani in Monday’s strikes. Soleimani had served as commander of the Basij for the past six years, the military said. The Basij is described by Iranian officials as a largely volunteer paramilitary force with units embedded across the country.
The pattern of strikes described by Israeli authorities has focused heavily on elements of Iran’s security architecture. Reported targets include Iran’s police forces, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps - often referred to by its acronym IRGC - and the plainclothes Basij militia. According to statements attributed to Israeli officials, the intent behind concentrating strikes on those forces is to create conditions that might foster a popular uprising against Iran’s ruling authorities.
Public reports contain elements that are not fully aligned. On one hand, Israeli sources said they believe Larijani was killed. On the other hand, Iranian state media announced plans to publish a message from Larijani, an action that suggests either continued communications or a posthumous release. The differing signals leave the status of the targeted official unclear to outside observers.
The reported death of the Basij commander and the focus on security institutions were emphasized in the statements attributed to Israeli authorities. The Basij’s role as a volunteer-based force embedded in communities across Iran was noted in reporting as a reason the group is a central target in these operations.
Clear summary: Israel says it targeted Iran’s security chief Ali Larijani in Monday airstrikes and believes he was killed; Iranian state media says it will publish a message from Larijani soon. Israel also reported killing Brig. Gen. Gholamreza Soleimani, commander of the Basij.