Tel Aviv, March 17 (ANI) — The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) on Tuesday confirmed the killing of Gholamreza Soleimani, commander of Iran’s Basij paramilitary force, and his deputy, Seyyed Karishi.
The IDF said the two were struck in a makeshift tent area chosen to reduce the chance of being traced, rather than at a known headquarters. In a post on X, the IDF said Soleimani led the Basij for six years and directed major repression operations in Iran, using severe violence, widespread arrests and force against civilian demonstrators.
TPS reported that Israel carried out an overnight airstrike in Iran that also targeted Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s National Security Council and a former top aide to the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Israeli officials said it was unclear whether Larijani was killed or injured. Larijani is regarded as a key power broker in Tehran and recently delayed a formal declaration naming Mojtaba Khamenei as the next Supreme Leader, underscoring his influence.
Israeli officials said the strikes formed part of a broader campaign against Iranian military and security targets. IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said the IDF “continues to operate vigorously against a number of targets in Iran,” striking military, industrial and Revolutionary Guard elements as well as parts of the regime’s repressive apparatus. He added that significant counter-terrorism achievements were recorded that could affect campaign objectives.
Zamir said the operation also targeted foreign Palestinian figures based in Iran, including senior Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) figures allegedly hiding in a safe house in Tehran. Among those named were deputy chief Akram Ajouri and senior figure Muhammad al-Hindi. Ajouri, who survived an Israeli assassination attempt in Syria in 2019, has been linked to Quds Force networks and Hezbollah.
Larijani had appeared publicly last Friday during Iran’s Jerusalem Day marches in Tehran, speaking alongside President Masoud Pazakhian and other officials. He warned against U.S. and Israeli pressure, saying such actions only strengthened Iranian resolve.
Officials have not confirmed whether the operation fully achieved all objectives. Analysts warn the strikes — among the most audacious Israeli actions inside Iran in recent years — could further escalate tensions across the Middle East, where Israel and Iran remain locked in regional rivalries. (ANI)
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