Iran’s senior security figure Ali Larijani has been killed in a strike in Tehran, in a major escalation of the ongoing conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States, officials and media reports said.
The killing marks one of the most high-profile losses for Iran’s leadership in recent weeks and is expected to have significant implications for the country’s security and political structure.
Iranian authorities confirmed Larijani’s death, describing him as a martyr and praising his role in shaping the country’s internal security and defence policies.
The development comes amid intensifying hostilities in the region, with both sides exchanging strikes that have heightened fears of a broader Middle East conflict.
According to reports, Larijani was targeted in a strike in the Tehran suburb of Pardis while visiting a family member. His son, along with several aides and security personnel, was also killed in the attack.
Officials said Larijani had been moving between locations in recent weeks due to heightened security threats, making the operation particularly significant.
Iranian military officials signalled a strong response following the killing.
“Our response will be decisive and regrettable,” Iran’s army chief Amir Hatami said, indicating potential escalation in the coming days.
The strike also reportedly killed Gholamreza Soleimani, the chief of Iran’s Basij paramilitary force, in a separate attack in central Tehran, further intensifying the impact on Iran’s security apparatus.
Analysts said the loss of senior figures could disrupt Iran’s command structure and decision-making at a critical moment in the conflict.
Larijani was widely regarded as a key strategist and influential figure within Iran’s establishment, often described as a backroom power broker with deep involvement in national security matters.
The broader conflict has already seen missile exchanges, strategic targeting and heightened military activity near key locations including the Strait of Hormuz.
Observers warn that the assassination of senior leadership figures could push the situation toward further escalation, with risks of regional spillover.
The latest developments follow a period of heightened tensions and military activity across the Middle East, with multiple countries closely monitoring the situation.
