Israel says it killed two senior Iranian leaders in overnight strikes
The Facts
- Israel said it killed Ali Larijani in overnight airstrikes.
- Israel said it also killed Gholamreza Soleimani, the head of Iran’s Basij paramilitary force.
- Iranian state media later confirmed the deaths of Larijani and Soleimani.
- Larijani was described by multiple outlets as Iran’s top national security official or secretary of the Supreme National Security Council.
- Multiple reports said Larijani had been acting as a de facto or behind-the-scenes leader in Iran after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed earlier in the war.
- The Basij was described as a powerful plainclothes militia or paramilitary force within Iran’s security apparatus.
- Several outlets said the killings were among the most significant blows to Iran’s leadership since Khamenei was killed at the start of the war.
Context
Who was Ali Larijani?
Larijani was described as Iran’s top national security official and secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, and multiple outlets said he was one of the regime’s most powerful insiders NBC News,NYT,NYT,BBC. Reports also said he had been acting as a de facto leader or running the country behind the scenes after Khamenei’s death NYT,NYT,Daily Mail.
What is the Basij?
The Basij is a large paramilitary or plainclothes militia force tied to the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, and outlets said it has been used to crush dissent in Iran NYT,NYT,BBC,Guardian.
How did Iran respond to the reported killings?
Iranian state media confirmed the deaths, and some reports said Iranian officials vowed retaliation after Larijani was killed NYT,Daily Mail,Hindustan Times.
The receipts — all 91 sources
Wire services (4)
Independent coverage (50)
India TodayThousands gather to attend Iranian Security Chief Ali Larija...
TerraIrã realiza funeral de Ali Larijani e promete vingança com '...
Lenta.ruНазваны неожиданные последствия расправы над серым кардинало...
Hindustan TimesRussia reacts to Iran senior leader Larijani's killing in Is...
News18Why Are The Larijanis Called 'Kennedys Of Iran' And Can Ali ...
TerraMorte de Ali Larijani aprofunda crise de liderança do Irã em...
New York PostHere's who's really leading Iran with supreme leader MIA and...
NDTV"Iran Residents' Intel Made Ali Larijani Killing Possible": ...
Hindustan TimesKhamenei to Larijani: All faces Israel says it eliminated an...
Hindustan TimesThe killing of Ali Larijani weakens Iran -- but at a cost
NDTV'Martyrs Make Iran Stronger': Larijani's Warning To US, Isra...
News18Ali Larijani 'Was At His Daughter's House' Along With Son Wh...
News18After Larijani's Killing, Who Can The US Turn To In Tehran F...
News18Khamenei's Death Didn't End Iran War, But Larijani's Killing...
NDTVAli Larijani, Killed Along With His Son, Had Opposed Mojtaba...
NDTVIran Crisis: After Larijani Killing Who Else In Tehran Can T...
CNBCIran launches retaliatory strikes on Israel and U.S. assets ...
Yahoo NewsIsrael kills Iran security chief Ali Larijani; Man City out ...
Hindustan TimesUS Iran war LIVE updates: Tehran hits Israel with cluster wa...
Lenta.ruИран высказался об ударах по Израилю в качестве мести
AolWhy the death of Iran's top security official is significant
Daily Mail OnlinePATRIKARAKOS: This seismic loss will only make Iran more vol...
Daily Mail OnlineIran confirms security chief who led slaughter of protesters...
The New York TimesHere's What Happened in the War in the Middle East on Tuesda...
TerraSAIBA MAIS-Fatos sobre falecido chefe de segurança iraniano ...
TerraIrã confirma morte de Ali Larijani, chefe de segurança e hom...
India TodayPure souls embraced him: Iran confirms security council chie...
India TodayWill find and eliminate Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Kh...
The New York TimesAli Larijani, a Top Iranian Politician and Emissary, Is Dead...
The New York TimesIran's Leadership Suffers a Double Blow
TerraIrã confirma morte de Ali Larijani após bombardeio israelens...
News18Iran Confirms Death Of National Security Chief Ali Larijani ...
Yahoo NewsAli Larijani was a 'true insider' of Iran's regime and its p...
New York PostIran confirms brutal leader Ali Larijani killed after US-Isr...
Hindustan TimesAli Larijani, Iran's National Security chief, killed in Isra...
USA TodayDeath from above: Ali Larijani kept Iran's secrets
Hindustan TimesAli Larijani: Iran power player who rose then fell on winds ...
India TodayUS-Israel-Iran War Live: Israel says 10 posts of Iran's Basi...
News18Ali Larijani's Son, Deputy National Security Chief Also Kill...
NDTVVideo | Israel Claims Killing Of Iran's Wartime 'Khamenei'. ...
BBCDeath of Ali Larijani would deepen crisis at heart of Iran's...
New York PostCelebrations break out across Iran over death of security ch...
TerraSaiba quem é Ali Larijani, autoridade do Irã que Israel diz ...
Hindustan TimesNetanyahu claims Ali Larijani dead, urges Iranians to 'take ...
NBC NewsAli Larijani, Iran's security chief and powerful regime insi...
Hindustan TimesAs Israel claims Ali Larijani dead, questions over who might...
WEB.DEChef des US-Zentrums für Terrorbekämpfung tritt aus Protest ...
Daily Mail OnlineHow Israel assassinated Ali Larijani
The New York TimesWhat is the Basij?
La Repubblica.itNetanyahu: "Morto Larijani, un'oppurtunità per gli iraniani ...
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