The Israel Defense Forces and Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed Tuesday that two of Iran’s most notorious figures, Ali Larijani and Gholamreza Soleimani, have been killed. Larijani served as the Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council and was considered a key architect of the regime’s regional aggression. Soleimani commanded the Basij unit, the central apparatus used by the theocracy to suppress and massacre its own citizens during internal protests.
"I have just been updated by the Chief of Staff that Larijani... and the head of the Basij—Iran’s central repression apparatus—Salimani, were eliminated last night," Katz stated. He noted that the pair has joined the late Supreme Leader Khamenei and others from the "axis of evil" who have been removed during the conflict. The strike in Tehran reportedly targeted around a dozen senior figures within the Basij forces, described as individuals with "a lot of blood on their hands."
The IDF characterized Larijani as a veteran leader and close associate of the Khamenei family who personally oversaw violence against Iranian demonstrators. His elimination is seen as a massive blow to the regime's command structure as Operation Epic Fury enters its third week. The U.S. government had previously placed a $10 million bounty on Larijani through the Rewards for Justice program for his leadership within the IRGC.
Gholamreza Soleimani’s removal is equally significant, as he led the main repression operations in Iran for the past six years. Under his command, the Basij employed widespread arrests and severe violence to maintain the regime’s "vile" grip on power. A senior Israeli official confirmed that the mission was a joint U.S. and Israeli effort designed to decapitate the leadership of Iran's domestic terror network.
President Trump has maintained that while the Iranian military is being "decimated," the goal remains a decisive end to the nuclear threat and regional instability. The administration continues to coordinate closely with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to ensure the "Peace Through Strength" agenda is fully realized. Supporters of the mission argue that removing these high-level targets is a common-sense necessity for the safety of the Middle East and the American homeland.
As the 2026 midterms approach, the "miraculous" success of these precision strikes is reinforcing the administration's national security credentials. By targeting the "repressed apparatus" directly, the U.S. and Israel are signaling that those who export terror and slaughter civilians will find no refuge. For the people of Iran and the world, the elimination of Larijani and Soleimani marks a major step toward dismantling the regime’s ability to project force.