A file photo of an F35 fighter jet
A file photo of an F35 fighter jet AFP News

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israeli forces have 'knocked out' senior Iranian figures following reported strikes in Tehran, including Ali Larijani and Basij commander Gholamreza Soleimani. The claims were later confirmed by Iranian state media.

In a statement carried by Iran's semi-official Mehr News Agency, the country's Supreme National Security Council confirmed the killing of Larijani, while the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) separately confirmed Soleimani's death, according to reporting by Al Jazeera. The announcements came hours after Israel publicly claimed responsibility for the strikes.

Netanyahu, speaking in a video message posted on social media on 16 March, said, 'This morning we eliminated Ali Larijani,' describing him as a central figure within Iran's leadership. He also said Israeli forces had targeted senior Basij leadership as part of the same operation.

Claims of Leadership Strikes

Netanyahu said Israeli forces had carried out coordinated operations over a 24-hour period, targeting what he described as 'terror operatives' across multiple locations in Tehran. He framed the strikes as part of a broader effort to weaken Iran's political and military structure.

'We're undermining this regime in the hope of giving the Iranian people a chance to oust it,' he said, adding that Israeli air and drone operations were continuing.

He also pointed to cooperation with the United States, stating that there was coordination between Israeli and American forces. The United States has not publicly confirmed operational involvement in the reported strikes.

Regional Context and Reaction

The developments come amid escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, with concerns growing about the risk of wider regional conflict. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said the country's military would continue targeting Iranian capabilities, writing that 'the leaders of the regime are being killed and their capabilities terminated'.

Analysts have warned that such strikes could have broader consequences. Speaking on CNN's OutFront, a former New York Times Tehran correspondent said the killing of Larijani could 'backfire' on Israel and the United States, arguing he had been seen as a potential figure for future negotiations.

Larijani had previously held senior roles within Iran's political system, including serving as a negotiator in nuclear discussions with Western powers.

Conflicting Signals and Information Flow

In the days leading up to the reported strikes, speculation circulated online about potential targets within Iran's leadership. A post by commentator David Keyes on 13 March claimed that Ali Larijani could be targeted, though the assertion was not supported by official sources. A subsequent post following the strikes appeared to reference that earlier claim.

Despite confirmation from Iranian state media that Larijani and Basij commander Gholamreza Soleimani were killed, details surrounding the strikes remain limited. Information from within Iran is often tightly controlled during periods of conflict, and independent verification of operational details remains restricted.

Ongoing Uncertainty

While Iranian authorities have confirmed the deaths of senior figures, the full extent of the damage to Iran's leadership structure and military capabilities remains unclear.

Netanyahu's statements indicate Israel intends to continue its operations, as the situation remains fluid. Further developments are expected as additional information emerges from both Israeli and Iranian sources.

Read more