Tehran, Iran. Israel’s military targeted Iran’s security chief Ali Larijani in overnight strikes across Iran, four Israeli officials said. The officials said it was not immediately clear whether Larijani was killed or injured.
Israeli officials cite Larijani as a strike target
Larijani was among the targets of strikes carried out by the Israeli military across Iran, the officials told Reuters. Iran has not yet commented on the report.
Potential significance of reported outcome
If Larijani’s death is confirmed, he would be the most senior Iranian official to be killed after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who died on the first day of the war.
Larijani’s background and recent public appearance
Larijani, a former nuclear negotiator and a close ally of Khamenei, was seen in Tehran on Friday taking part in Quds Day rallies.
U.S. reward notice referenced
Later on Friday, the United States offered a reward of up to $10 million for information on senior Iranian military and intelligence officials, including Larijani, as part of a list of 10 figures linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Reports of additional targets
Multiple Israeli media outlets reported that the strikes also targeted Gholamreza Soleimani, the head of the Basij Resistance Force, and other senior Basij figures, with the outcome of the strikes still being assessed.
What impact could the reported targeting of senior officials have on the next phase of the conflict?