Top Iranian official, commander killed in strike, Israel defense minister says

Ali Larijani, left, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, and Gholamreza Soleimani, who commands Basij forces. (Courtney Bonneau/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images;Morteza Nikoubazl/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

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“Throughout the years, Larijani was considered one of the most veteran and senior figures within the Iranian regime leadership, and was a close associate of the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.During the most recent wave of protests against the Iranian terror regime, Larijani personally oversaw the massacre that was carried out against Iranian protestors,” the post added.

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Another IDFpostnoted, “Yesterday, the IDF targeted &eliminated Gholamreza Soleimani, who operated as commander of the Basij unit for the past 6 years.Under Soleimani, the Basij unit led the main repression operations in Iran, employing severe violence, widespread arrests, and the use of force against civilian demonstrators.”

Israeli Minister of Defense Israel Katz in Athens, Jan.20, 2026. (Nick Paleologos/SOOC/AFP via Getty Images)

The U.S.government had previously indicated that it wouldoffer a rewardfor information on Larijani.

“Rewards for Justice is offering a reward of up to $10 million for information on the key leaders of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its component branches,”rewardsforjustice.netnotes.“Under this reward offer, RFJ is seeking information on the following individuals,” the webpage notes, listing Larijani and others.

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President Donald Trump holds a press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at his Mar-a-Lago club on Dec.29, 2025, in Palm Beach, Florida.(Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

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“Over a dozen Basij officials were targeted in Iran last night in different strikes, including the head of the Basij forces Gholamreza Soleimani.This was a joint U.S.and Israeli effort,” a senior Israeli official noted.“A strike in Tehran targeted the Basij commander and around a dozen others, including the most senior figures in the Basij forces—people with a lot of blood on their hands.”

� Trey Yingst and Yonat Friling contributed to this report.