Israel Claims Iran Leaders Larijani, Basij Chief Dead in Strikes; Tehran Silent

Katz: Larijani in hell now

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has claimed that Larijani has died, but so far, Iran has not responded to these assertions.
“Larijani and the Basij commander were eliminated overnight and joined the head of the annihilation program, Khamenei, and all the eliminated members of the axis of evil, in the depths of hell,” Katz said.

Larijani: Key roles

Larijani's influence in Iran's power structure cannot be overstated. He has held numerous crucial roles, from leading the state-run broadcaster to serving as the speaker of parliament. He played a key role in suppressing protests in 2009 and 2026 and has been the secretary of the Supreme National Security Council.
Once regarded as a close confidant of the Ayatollah, Larijani has earned a reputation as “the quintessential insider.” He was last seen publicly during Quds Day rallies in Tehran on Friday.

US $10M reward

The U.S. had announced a reward of $10 million for information on senior Iranian military and intelligence officials, including Larijani, as part of a list of ten individuals linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
If confirmed, Larijani's death would mark one of the most significant losses for Iran in the ongoing conflict, following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the country’s former leader, who was killed on the war's first day on February 28.

Basij boss Soleimani dead

Additionally, Israel has claimed responsibility for the death of Gholamreza Soleimani, the chief of Iran’s Basij forces, a paramilitary group under the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Soleimani and several other Basij commanders were reportedly killed in an airstrike targeting a “makeshift headquarters,” according to the Israeli military. As of now, Tehran has remained silent on these developments.

Larijani Slams Trump's Fake Claim

Interestingly, in a statement released on Tuesday, Iran’s state media, Press TV, reported that Larijani accused U.S. President Donald Trump of various charges.
"47 years ago, on the eve of the people's victory in the Islamic Revolution of Iran, the prime minister of the Pahlavi regime claimed that the sound of the massive crowds chanting in the streets was not real but rather the sound of a tape recording! Now Trump says about the millions-strong anti-American and anti-Israeli gatherings in Iranian cities that these images are artificial intelligence," the statement read.