Tehran has confirmed that its top security official Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, has been killed.
The Supreme National Security Council of Iran announced his death in a statement issued early Wednesday local time, describing him as having been “martyred” following a lifetime of public service.
The announcement came after Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said Larijani had been “eliminated” on Monday night.
According to the council, Ali Larijani, who had recently emerged as one of the most influential figures in Iran, was killed alongside several others, including his son and members of his security detail.
The statement praised his long political career, noting that he worked toward the advancement of Iran until the final moments of his life, and called for national unity in the face of external threats.
Earlier, Iran also confirmed that the head of its Basij paramilitary force, Gholamreza Soleimani, had been killed in what it described as a “terrorist attack” by what it called the American-Zionist enemy.
Funerals for both Ali Larijani and Gholamreza Soleimani are scheduled to be held on Wednesday, according to the semi-official Mehr News Agency.
Meanwhile, Masoud Pezeshkian expressed deep sorrow over Larijani’s death, saying the loss would be difficult to replace and praising his character, insight and service to the nation.
