‘Was at his daughter’s house’: Inside the strike that killed Iran security chief Larijani

Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, was killed on Tuesday in a strike at his daughter’s home in the Pardis area, according to Iranian state media.The state affiliated, Fars News Agency described him as “one of the country’s prominent and prudent officials” and said the attack also claimed the lives of his son, a deputy, and several bodyguards. Iran labelled him a martyr, honouring his role in shaping the country’s defence and regional policies.

US strikes Iran missile sites near Strait of Hormuz – Follow live updatesThe strike came amid escalating hostilities between Iran, Israel, and the United States. Larijani, 68, had been a central figure in Iran’s security apparatus, particularly after the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Analysts say he effectively oversaw the country’s defence strategy, regional operations, and internal security, acting as the right-hand man of the late leader. The attack has intensified an already volatile conflict. Iran responded with missile and drone strikes targeting Israel and Gulf Arab neighbours, while the US conducted heavy airstrikes on Iranian missile sites near the Strait of Hormuz. These operations targeted “hardened” facilities deemed a threat to international shipping, using bombs weighing up to 5,000 pounds each. The region, through which a fifth of the world’s oil passes, is now under heightened tension, raising global concerns over energy supply and oil prices.

Israel’s strategic hit

Israel confirmed it had carried out the strike that killed Larijani along with General Gholam Reza Soleimani, head of the Basij paramilitary force. Israeli officials said the operation aimed to “undermine the Iranian regime” and give the Iranian people an opportunity to challenge their leaders. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated his long-term goal of weakening Iran’s authority, though he stopped short of advocating regime change outright.Brigadier General Effie Defrin, an Israeli military spokesman, said the strikes were designed to target Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, who has remained largely out of public view since succeeding his father. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz stated that more than ten Basij posts in Tehran had also been targeted. The killings represent a major blow to Iran’s security leadership, particularly as both Larijani and Soleimani had been heavily involved in the country’s crackdown on dissent, including the protests that erupted in January against the regime.In Israel, two civilians were killed after an Iranian missile barrage hit near Tel Aviv, while in the UAE, explosions in Dubai were reported early Wednesday, though the city’s air defences intercepted incoming missiles. These attacks underscore the regional dimension of the conflict, with Gulf states facing a growing threat from Iranian-launched missiles and drones.Iran has signalled it will maintain control over the Strait of Hormuz, keeping a chokehold on a crucial artery for global oil transport. The US has demanded allies deploy warships to secure the passage, but few have responded, leaving President Donald Trump to assert that American forces “do not need the help of anyone.” Oil prices have risen sharply in response, reflecting global concerns over supply disruptions.The International Atomic Energy Agency reported a projectile hit the Bushehr nuclear plant complex, though no injuries or damage were confirmed. Meanwhile, Israel continued strikes on Iran-backed Hezbollah positions in Lebanon. More than a million people have been displaced there, with many sleeping in cars or crowded shelters. The Lebanese government reports over 900 fatalities from Israeli strikes, while at least 14 have been killed in Israel from Iranian missile fire. More than 1,300 people have died in Iran since the war began on February 28.