Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz said on Tuesday that Iran’s security chief Ali Larijani had been killed in an Israeli strike, though there was no immediate confirmation from Tehran.
Earlier, Israeli media reported that the military had targeted Larijani, but said it was not immediately clear whether he had been killed or injured.
Also Read: Israel Iran War Day 18 News Updates: Trump seeks support from allies, UAE gas field set ablaze & missile warnings in Dubai
Katz said the overnight strike had “eliminated” Larijani, who served as secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, as well as the commander of the country’s paramilitary Basij unit. Iran has yet to comment on the claim. Earlier on Tuesday, Larijani’s Telegram account posted that he would release a message shortly.
If confirmed, his death would mark the most senior Iranian casualty since Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed on the first day of the war. Khamenei has reportedly been replaced by his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, with Tehran maintaining retaliatory strikes around the region in response to ongoing Israeli and US assaults.
Larijani, a former nuclear negotiator and a close ally of Khamenei, was last seen in Tehran on Friday, participating in Quds Day rallies.
Later on Tuesday, the United States announced a reward of up to $10 million for information on senior Iranian military and intelligence officials, including Larijani, as part of a list of 10 individuals linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
The escalation comes amid a broader, region-wide conflict that shows no sign of abating well into its third week.
The United States and Israel continue strikes on Iranian sites, including in Tehran, while Iran has retaliated with attacks across the Persian Gulf. Israel is also escalating operations in Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah positions in a bid to secure its northern territories, according to reports.
Also Read: Israel says it has killed head of Iran's Basij militia Soleimani
More than 4,000 people have been killed across the Middle East in the war so far. According to US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, about 3,100 have died in Iran, while the Lebanese government reports 850 fatalities from Israeli strikes. Dozens have been killed in Gulf states and Israel, with the US losing 13 military personnel.
(With inputs from agencies)
Earlier, Israeli media reported that the military had targeted Larijani, but said it was not immediately clear whether he had been killed or injured.
Also Read: Israel Iran War Day 18 News Updates: Trump seeks support from allies, UAE gas field set ablaze & missile warnings in Dubai
Katz said the overnight strike had “eliminated” Larijani, who served as secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, as well as the commander of the country’s paramilitary Basij unit. Iran has yet to comment on the claim. Earlier on Tuesday, Larijani’s Telegram account posted that he would release a message shortly.
If confirmed, his death would mark the most senior Iranian casualty since Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed on the first day of the war. Khamenei has reportedly been replaced by his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, with Tehran maintaining retaliatory strikes around the region in response to ongoing Israeli and US assaults.
Larijani, a former nuclear negotiator and a close ally of Khamenei, was last seen in Tehran on Friday, participating in Quds Day rallies.
Later on Tuesday, the United States announced a reward of up to $10 million for information on senior Iranian military and intelligence officials, including Larijani, as part of a list of 10 individuals linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
The escalation comes amid a broader, region-wide conflict that shows no sign of abating well into its third week.
The United States and Israel continue strikes on Iranian sites, including in Tehran, while Iran has retaliated with attacks across the Persian Gulf. Israel is also escalating operations in Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah positions in a bid to secure its northern territories, according to reports.
Also Read: Israel says it has killed head of Iran's Basij militia Soleimani
More than 4,000 people have been killed across the Middle East in the war so far. According to US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, about 3,100 have died in Iran, while the Lebanese government reports 850 fatalities from Israeli strikes. Dozens have been killed in Gulf states and Israel, with the US losing 13 military personnel.
(With inputs from agencies)
