Israel Strikes Kill Iran's Security Chief, Basij Commander
In a significant escalation, Israel announced it has killed two of Iran's most senior officials in a series of targeted strikes. The operation, described by Israeli officials as a 'wide-scale wave of strikes,' eliminated Ali Larijani, Iran's powerful national security chief and a key figure seen as the late Supreme Leader's right-hand man, along with Gholamreza Soleimani, commander of the Basij paramilitary force. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that the 'majority of the Basij leadership was eliminated overnight,' marking the most significant blow to Iran's leadership since the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei at the outset of the conflict. The strikes represent a major strategic development in the ongoing conflict. While Israel provided details of the operation, the broader regional context remains tense. According to reports from PBS, an Iranian official reiterated that Tehran has no intention of relinquishing its grip on the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global oil chokepoint. This statement comes amid international discussions, with U.S. President Donald Trump noting that NATO and most allies have rejected calls to help secure the waterway. In response to the assassinations, Iran launched a barrage of missiles, as reported by the Associated Press, signaling a likely intensification of hostilities. The killings of Larijani and Soleimani are viewed as a pivotal moment, directly targeting the core of Iran's security and paramilitary apparatus. The aftermath of these strikes and the subsequent Iranian retaliation point to a dangerous new phase in the conflict, with both sides demonstrating a willingness to undertake high-risk, high-impact operations.
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Sources
IDF kills Iran's Ali Larijani, Basij commander in massive targeted strikes | The Jerusalem Post
Basij commander Gholamreza Soleimani and deputy also killed in IDF strikes, officials say 'majority of the Basij leadership was eliminated overnight' • Netanyahu: Larijani was 'boss' of regime
Iran’s Ali Larijani, Basij paramilitary head ‘eliminated’ in Tehran strikes: Israel | South China Morning Post
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said on Tuesday that Iran’s powerful national security chief Ali Larijani was “eliminated last night”, along with the commander of Tehran’s Basij paramilitary force, General Gholam Reza Soleimani.
Israel says it killed 2 top Iranian officials in another wartime blow to country's leadership | PBS News
An Iranian official said Tehran had no intention of relinquishing its tight grip on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway for oil. On Tuesday, President Donald Trump said NATO and most other allies have rejected his calls to help secure the strait. The Israeli military said it had begun a "wide-scale wave of strikes...
Iran's top security official, Ali Larijani, was killed in an airstrike. Here's why his death is so significant. - CBS News
Imtiaz Tyab is a CBS News senior ... and CBS News 24/7. He has extensive experience reporting from major global flashpoints, including the Middle East and the war on terror. Read Full Bio ... Top Iranian security official Ali Larijani was killed in overnight strikes, Israel said Tuesday, marking a significant moment for the Islamic Republic in the conflict. Israeli defense minister Israel Katz said in a statement that Larijani was "eliminated....
Gholam Reza Soleimani, gives a press conference in Tehran, Iran, Nov. 18, 2019. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi, File) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share ... Volunteers clean debris from a residential building damaged when a nearby police station was hit Friday in a U.S.-Israeli strike ...
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