out precision strikes against him. Israeli authorities including Defense Minister Israel Katz, publicly acknowledged responsibility for the operation, stating that Larijani and other senior figures were eliminated in coordinated overnight actions aimed at weakening Iran’s leadership and military command. A Basij paramilitary commander, Gholamreza Soleimani was also reported killed in the same series of strikes. Larijani’s death represents a dramatic escalation in the months long U.S.–Israel aggression against Tehran, which has already seen the assassination of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei earlier this year and ongoing military engagements across the region. A veteran of Iran’s political establishment, Larijani previously served as parliament speaker, chief nuclear negotiator and senior Revolutionary Guard commander during the Iran–Iraq War. His strategic influence in shaping Iran’s domestic and foreign policy made him a central figure in the regime’s leadership hierarchy. In recent months, Larijani had taken a hard line against Western and regional adversaries and was instrumental in directing Iran’s defense strategy following Khamenei’s death. Analysts say his loss could create a strategic vacuum at a time when Tehran faces intense military pressure and persistent global scrutiny. The international community has reacted with caution and concern. Western capitals are monitoring developments closely, while allied governments in the Middle East stress the need to prevent further destabilization. Oil markets responded sharply with prices spiking as tensions threaten disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian officials have not yet provided detailed public statements beyond confirming Larijani’s death. However, the country’s leadership has vowed to persevere in the face of external pressure, signaling an uncompromising stance amidst the deepening crisis. Ali Larijani’s death marks a critical turning point in the region’s most volatile conflict, underscoring the rising stakes and rapidly shifting power dynamics within Iran’s political and military structure. Source: AP News