Israel says it eliminated Larijani and a top commander, but one detail is making the claim harder to verify

Israel is claiming it has eliminated Ali Larijani, Iran’s secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, along with Gholamreza Soleimani, commander of the Basij militia. As highlighted by The Guardian, Iran has not confirmed or denied the claims, leaving uncertainty around the reports.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz made the initial claim Tuesday, marking what would be a major development if confirmed. Larijani was last seen publicly on Friday at an Al-Quds Day rally in Tehran alongside President Masoud Pezeshkian, underscoring how recently he remained active in public life.

Iranian state media later published what appeared to be a handwritten note attributed to Larijani, shared on his social media pages, commemorating 84 Iranian sailors killed in a US attack. The timing and authenticity of the note remain unclear, adding to questions about whether he is still alive.

The verification problem is raising serious questions

If confirmed, Larijani’s death would mark the highest-level elimination in the conflict since US-Israeli strikes killed former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several family members on February 28. The uncertainty comes amid Lebanon ground offensive warnings as regional pressure continues to build.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the alleged strike is part of a broader effort to pressure Iran’s leadership. He claimed Larijani was a central figure in the Revolutionary Guards and said continued operations could give Iranians an opportunity to challenge their government.

Katz echoed that message, stating that Israeli forces are targeting both leadership and strategic capabilities. He said operations are focused on degrading missile systems and key infrastructure tied to Iran’s military operations.

In a message on Monday, Larijani had urged Muslim-majority nations to support Tehran against what he described as aggression from the US and Israel. He framed the conflict in religious terms and called for unity across Islamic nations, while defending Iran’s regional posture.

The Israeli military also said Tuesday it had killed Gholamreza Soleimani in a targeted airstrike in Tehran, citing intelligence-led operations. The claim has not been verified by Iranian officials, adding to a broader pattern of unconfirmed reports during U.S. embassy strikes in Iraq and elsewhere in the region.

Soleimani led the Basij, a paramilitary force under the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps tasked with internal security. The group has played a role in suppressing protests, including demonstrations in 2009 and more recent unrest.

Analysts say that even if the killings are confirmed, they are unlikely to destabilize Iran’s leadership structure entirely. Experts noted that while such strikes carry symbolic and psychological weight, the country’s leadership system is built to replace figures quickly, limiting the long-term strategic impact.