'Achieved Sweet Grace of Martyrdom': Iran Confirms Death Of Security Council Chief Ali Larijani In Israeli Airstrike

New Delhi: Iran's Supreme National Security Council on Tuesday confirmed the death of Ali Larijani- a top Iranian security official and a conservative force within Iran’s theocracy- in an Israeli strike.

The council said Larijani died along with his son and bodyguards, describing him as a “martyr” after what it called a lifetime of service to the Islamic Republic.

"The pure souls of the martyrs embraced the purified soul of God's righteous servant, Martyr Dr. Ali Larijani," the council said, adding that his son and his bodyguards had died with him. 

"After a lifetime of struggle for the advancement of Iran and of the Islamic Revolution, he ultimately attained his long-held aspiration, answered the divine call, and honourably achieved the sweet grace of martyrdom in the trench of service," it added.

Larijani was widely believed to be running the country following the killing of its supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in U.S. and Israeli strikes late last month that sparked a widening war.

Eliminated, says IDF

Earlier today, the IDF, in separate statements on X, confirmed the death of Larijani, who has served as Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council and played a key role in suppressing anti-government protests. 

It also confirmed the killing of Soleimani, stating he led the Basij unit responsible for "repression operations" involving arrests and use of force against demonstrators.

"Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council and the regime's effective leader, has been eliminated. Throughout the years, Larijani was considered one of the most veteran and senior figures within the Iranian regime leadership and was a close associate of the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei," the IDF post read. 

"Yesterday, the IDF targeted & eliminated Gholamreza Soleimani, who operated as commander of the Basij unit for the past 6 years. Under Soleimani, the Basij unit led the main repression operations in Iran, employing severe violence, widespread arrests, and the use of force against civilian demonstrators," the IDF stated in a separate post. 

Notably, his passing occurs during a period of escalating strikes against Iran’s senior officials, with no immediate end to the hostilities in sight. 

Meanwhile, the Revolutionary Guard maintains its offensive through ongoing missile and drone operations throughout the region, as Tehran reinforces its grip on the Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for the world's oil supply.

Meanwhile, the Israel military military spokesman Brigadier General Effie Defrin said signalled it would pursue Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, who took power after his father’s death last month.

Netanyahu on boss of Revolutionary Guards

In a strongly worded statement following the killings, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the operation, saying, "This morning, we eliminated Ali Larijani," whom he described as a central figure in Iran's ruling establishment and closely tied to its military apparatus.

Netanyahu further asserted that Israel is conducting aerial operations deep inside Iranian territory, aimed at weakening the regime and creating conditions for internal change as the conflict in the region continues.

"Ali Larijani is the boss of the Revolutionary Guards, that group of gangsters that effectively runs Iran. Alongside him, we also eliminated the commander of the Basij - they are the gangsters' assistants who are terrorising the population in the streets of Tehran and other Iranian cities. We are operating there as well, operating from the air with Air Force jets and UAVs. We are undermining this regime in the hope of giving the Iranian people an opportunity to remove it," Netanyahu said.

Larijani vs Trump

A day before the attack, Larijani had struck a defiant tone in response to a warning from US President Donald Trump after he threatened to attack Iran “twenty times harder” if Tehran stopped oil flowing through the Strait of Hormuz.

Following the threat, Larijani responded on X stating, “The sacrificial nation of Iran doesn’t fear your empty threats Even those bigger than you couldn’t eliminate Iran,” he wrote. “Be careful not to get eliminated yourself.”

Who was Larijani?

Born in Najaf, Iraq, in 1958 into one of Iran’s most famous political families, which many media outlets have compared to the Kennedys in the United States, veteran Iranian politician Ali Larijani re-emerged last year as one of the most powerful figures in the security hierarchy.

He has been managing a broad portfolio from nuclear negotiations to Tehran’s regional ties to its violent suppression of internal unrest.

One brother, Sadeq, served as the head of Iran’s judiciary, while another, Mohammad Javad, was a senior diplomat who closely advised the late Khamenei on foreign affairs.

Over the years, Larijani issued increasingly hard-line threats. In the 1990s, he served as Iran’s culture minister, tightening censorship. He served as parliament speaker from 2008 to 2020, and most recently as head of the Supreme National Security Council.

He played a major role in shaping Iran’s nuclear strategy and negotiations with the West.

He remained closely involved in strategic planning, advising leadership on talks with the United States while maintaining ties with Russia and China.

Iran Vows Revenge

Following security chief Ali Larijani in an Israeli air strike, the Iranian army on Wednesday threatened to launch a “decisive and regrettable" retaliation for the killing of security chief Ali Larijani in an Israeli air strike.

“Iran’s response to the assassination of the secretary of the Supreme National Security Council will be decisive and regrettable," Iranian army chief Amir Hatami said in a statement.

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian expressed “deep sorrow and regret" at Larijani’s death, saying, “I saw nothing from him but benevolence, insight, companionship, and foresight.

IRGC reacts to Larijani's killing

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has reacted to the confirmation of Ali Larijani's assassination, calling it a "source of national awakening."

"The IRGC will certainly not forget the bloodlust of this great martyr and other martyrs," it added.

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