Ali Larijani, Head of Iran's Security Council, Killed; Iran Confirms

Tehran: Iran has confirmed that Ali Larijani, the head of Iran's Security Council, was killed in an airstrike. Iranian Basij commander Gholamreza Soleimani was also killed in the attack. According to Mehr News, citing the Security Council, Larijani had strived throughout his life for the progress of Iran and the Islamic Republic, and he ultimately fulfilled his wish.

Larijani was a key figure in Iran's military leadership. He took over as head of Iran's Security Council following the assassination of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. His death makes him the most senior leader to die in combat since the assassination of Ayatollah Khamenei.

Larijani was previously reported by Israel to have been killed in nighttime airstrikes. Israel had claimed responsibility for simultaneous airstrikes targeting missile manufacturing facilities and military institutions in Tehran, Shiraz, and Tabriz.

Reports indicated that Gholamreza Soleimani, the head of the Basij Resistance Force, along with other senior Basij officials, was also targeted in the attacks. The U.S. had announced a reward of 10 million dollar for information leading to the capture of Larijani and 10 other officials associated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.