Israeli Airstrike Kills Iran's National Security Chief

On February 28, 2023, Ali Larijani, Iran's national security chief, was killed in an Israeli airstrike, confirmed by Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz. Larijani was a senior figure in Iran's military hierarchy and played a crucial role in the Basij paramilitary forces.

The strike also eliminated Gholamreza Soleimani, the head of the Basij, who had been involved in repressing protests in Iran. This operation is part of a broader wave of US-Israeli military actions targeting Iranian leadership, particularly following the unprecedented attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023.

Katz described Larijani as a de facto leader of the Iranian regime, and the Israeli military had previously announced the targeting of Soleimani. The airstrike aimed to undermine the Iranian regime's grip on power, especially in light of recent mass protests and crackdowns within Iran.