Jerusalem, Israel. Israel said it had killed Iran’s security chief, describing him as the most senior figure targeted since the war began, as a senior Iranian official said Iran’s new supreme leader had rejected de-escalation offers conveyed by intermediary countries.
Israel says Ali Larijani was killed
Iran did not immediately comment on Israel’s announcement that it had killed Ali Larijani, whom Israel described as Iran’s security chief. The report said Larijani was widely viewed as one of Iran’s most powerful figures and a confidant of slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and his son and successor, Mojtaba.
Iranian official describes stance of new supreme leader
A senior Iranian official, who asked not to be identified, said Mojtaba Khamenei had rejected proposals conveyed to Iran’s Foreign Ministry for “reducing tensions or ceasefire with the United States.” The official did not provide further details.
The official said Mojtaba Khamenei had held his first foreign policy session since being named supreme leader and declared it was not “the right time for peace until the United States and Israel are brought to their knees, accept defeat, and pay compensation.”
The official did not clarify whether Mojtaba Khamenei attended the meeting in person or remotely, and said he has not yet been pictured since being named last week to replace his slain father.
War enters third week and Strait of Hormuz remains restricted
The US-Israeli war on Iran entered its third week, with at least 2,000 people killed, according to the report.
The Strait of Hormuz remained largely closed, and US allies rebuffed US President Donald Trump’s calls for help to reopen the waterway, through which about 20 per cent of global oil and liquefied natural gas flows.
Trump criticises allies; EU cites risks
Trump called on allies to provide military assistance to reopen the strait and said most Nato allies had told the United States they did not want to get involved in the conflict, describing their position as “a very foolish mistake.”
“Because of the fact that we have had such Military Success, we no longer ‘need,’ or desire, the NATO Countries’ assistance — WE NEVER DID!” Trump wrote on Truth Social, also singling out Japan, Australia and South Korea.
European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas told Reuters that nobody was ready to risk the lives of their people in protecting the strait.
What impact do you think the continued restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz could have on global energy markets?
