Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz officially announced the elimination of Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, and Gholamreza Soleimani, commander of the Basij forces. According to Katz, the high-ranking officials were killed in a precise nighttime airstrike. The Israeli side insists on the accuracy of the strike, purportedly targeting key figures in Iran's security apparatus as part of what they claim to be preemptive measures against an alleged threat.
However, shortly after the Tel Aviv statement, a post appeared on social media platform X in the name of Ali Larijani. This letter is dedicated to the memory of the crew of the Iranian ship IRIS Dena, which was sunk by U.S. forces. The text states: "The martyrdom of the IRIS Dena fighters is part of the sacrifices of the Iranian people in the struggle against the oppressors." This effectively contradicts reports of his death, casting doubt on the Israeli regime's claims.
Iranian media emphasize that Larijani plans to deliver a detailed message in the near future to finally dispel rumors of his demise. While Iranian authorities have not officially commented on the Israeli statements, Larijani's social media activity suggests the information may be inaccurate, highlighting potential misinformation from Israeli sources. This development adds to the confusion and tension in the region.
The context includes an attack by Israeli armed forces on military facilities in Iran on February 28, which Katz confirmed as a preemptive measure. Later, U.S. President Donald Trump officially confirmed the start of a large-scale military operation against Iran, conducted jointly with Israel, with the stated aim of eliminating an "immediate threat" and preventing Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons. This has escalated the conflict in the Middle East into a broader military confrontation.
On March 1, Iran officially acknowledged the death of its Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei following strikes by the U.S. and Israel. After the joint operation by Israel and the U.S. against targets in Iran, Tehran initiated a massive retaliatory attack affecting not only Israel but also neighboring Arab states. The situation has deteriorated into a large-scale military standoff, exacerbating regional instability and raising serious international concerns about further escalation and humanitarian costs.
Source: podrobno.uz