Tel Aviv [Israel], March 17 (ANI): The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) on Tuesday confirmed the killing of Gholamreza Soleimani, commander of Iran’s Basij unit.
According to The Jerusalem Post, the IDF also confirmed the death of Soleimani’s deputy, Seyyed Karishi. The report said the two were killed in a makeshift tent area, which had been set up to make it more difficult to track their movements rather than operating from a known headquarters.
In a post on X, the IDF said that under Soleimani’s leadership, the Basij unit carried out repressive operations involving severe violence, widespread arrests, and the use of force against civilian demonstrators.
“Yesterday, the IDF targeted and eliminated Gholamreza Soleimani, who served as commander of the Basij unit for the past six years. Under Soleimani, the Basij unit led major repression operations in Iran, employing severe violence, widespread arrests, and the use of force against civilian demonstrators,” the statement said.
In a separate report, TPS News Agency said Israel conducted an overnight airstrike in Iran targeting Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s National Security Council and a former top aide to the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Israeli defense sources said it remains unclear whether Larijani was killed or injured. He is widely regarded as a key power broker in Tehran and has been described as a de facto leader within Iran’s political system.
Larijani recently delayed the formal declaration of Mojtaba Khamenei as the next Supreme Leader, underscoring his influence within the country’s leadership structure.
Israel also said it killed Soleimani, commander of Iran’s Basij paramilitary force, in the same wave of attacks.
Speaking Tuesday morning, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir referenced the strikes while outlining broader Israeli military operations.
“The IDF continues to operate vigorously against a number of targets in Iran. Alongside ongoing damage to military and industrial capabilities, we are operating against elements of the Revolutionary Guards and the regime’s repressive apparatus. Significant counterterrorism achievements were also recorded last night, with the potential to affect the campaign’s objectives and the IDF’s missions,” Zamir said, according to TPS.
Zamir added that recent operations also targeted Palestinian Islamic Jihad figures in Iran.
“Foreign elements connected to the Palestinian arena, including senior figures involved in terrorist activity from Gaza and Judea and Samaria who were hiding in a safe house, were eliminated in Tehran,” he said.
Among those targeted were deputy chief Akram Ajouri and senior figure Muhammad al-Hindi. Ajouri previously survived an Israeli assassination attempt in Syria in 2019.
Larijani had recently appeared in public during Jerusalem Day marches in Tehran, where he spoke alongside President Masoud Pezeshkian and other senior officials.
“Trump does not understand that the Iranian people are brave and strong. The more the United States pressures us, the stronger our will becomes. The attacks by the United States and Israel against the Jerusalem Day marches demonstrate their desperation and helplessness,” Larijani said.
Ajouri, who has long been considered close to Iran, has overseen Palestinian Islamic Jihad’s international operations and finances. He has been linked to figures such as former Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani and Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.
The strikes mark one of the most significant Israeli operations inside Iran in recent years. Officials have not confirmed whether all objectives were achieved, but the targeting of senior political and security figures signals a willingness by Israel to directly confront leadership in Tehran.
Analysts warn that the developments could further escalate tensions across the Middle East, where both Israel and Iran maintain aggressive postures in ongoing regional conflicts. (ANI)
About The Author
