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Iran has confirmed the death of Ali Larijani, a top Iranian official who many believed was effectively running the country after an Israeli airstrike killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Getting into it: The announcement came from Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, which said Larijani had been “martyred” after being targeted in an Israeli airstrike near Tehran, reportedly alongside his son, aides, and bodyguards. Israeli officials said the strike was a “precise” overnight operation, with the Israel Defense Forces describing Larijani as “one of the most veteran and senior figures within the Iranian regime” and claiming that “following the elimination of Khamenei, Larijani consolidated his status as the de facto leader.” Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Larijani and other officials “were eliminated last night and have joined Khamenei… in the depths of hell,” while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu framed the killing as part of a broader campaign, saying, “We are undermining this regime in the hope of giving the Iranian people an opportunity to remove it.”

Israeli statements also accused Larijani of playing a central role in directing Iran’s military and internal repression, noting that he oversaw violent crackdowns on protests and helped coordinate attacks against Israel and regional targets. The IDF further claimed he “led the combat efforts against the State of Israel” and was deeply involved in decision-making at the highest levels of the regime.

In a separate strike, Israel said it killed Basij commander Gholamreza Soleimani, whose forces it accused of carrying out “severe violence, widespread arrests, and the use of force against civilian demonstrators.”

Before his death, Larijani had remained publicly defiant following the outbreak of war, responding to President Trump by writing that Iran “doesn’t fear your empty threats” and warning, “Be careful not to get eliminated yourself.” He also dismissed Israeli and US strikes as actions taken “out of fear, out of desperation,” and said that Iran would continue its resistance despite escalating attacks on its leadership.