Israel kills Iran's national security chief, Israeli defense minister says
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Israel killed Iran's national security chief Ali Larijani and Basij commander Gholamreza Soleimani in separate strikes.
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Israel assassinated Iran's national security chief Ali Larijani and Basij paramilitary commander Gholamreza Soleimani in separate strikes Tuesday, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced. Larijani, struck at a Tehran safe house, had served as de facto leader of Iran for ten days following Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's death in Israel's opening strike and was described by Israeli officials as "the most powerful figure" running the country before being succeeded by Khamenei's son Mojtaba. Israel's Defense Minister vowed to continue "hunting the leadership of Iran's terror and oppression regime" and repeatedly eliminate its top officials. The Iranian regime has not confirmed either killing, though Larijani's Telegram channel posted a handwritten message dated March 17 after the strike. Israeli officials say Soleimani's death is aimed at enabling popular unrest, while sources indicate Larijani had recently advocated for peace talks with the U.S., opposing a faction led by Mojtaba Khamenei supporters pushing to continue the war.
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