IDF kills Ali Larijani — Iran's de facto leader eliminated in overnight Tehran strike

The Israel Defense Forces killed Ali Larijani — Iran's de facto leader and head of the Supreme National Security Council — in an overnight airstrike near Tehran on Day 18. Defense Minister Katz confirmed the killing. Two unnamed Iranian officials confirmed the death to the New York Times. Larijani emerged as Iran's de facto wartime leader after US-Israeli strikes in the conflict's opening days killed Supreme Leader Khamenei and removed the upper echelons of Iran's government. A former Speaker of Parliament, former chief nuclear negotiator, and decades-long Khamenei confidant, Larijani was regarded as the figure most likely to eventually orchestrate negotiations. His death removes the apex of Iran's remaining chain of command and eliminates the primary diplomatic off-ramp from the Iranian side. It was announced simultaneously with the confirmed killing of Basij commander Gholamreza Soleimani — two senior figures in a single overnight operational window.

Key facts

• •Ali Larijani — Iran's de facto leader and NSC head — killed in IDF overnight strike near Tehran
• •Defense Minister Katz confirmed the killing publicly
• •Two unnamed Iranian officials confirmed death to the New York Times
• •Larijani was Iran's most senior surviving leader after Khamenei was killed in opening strikes
• •Basij commander Gholamreza Soleimani also killed in same overnight window
• •Larijani was Iran's primary pragmatist and most credible negotiating voice