Iranian defence chief who issued sinister warning to Trump is killed in airstrike
Iranian defence chief who issued sinister warning to Trump is killed in airstrike
An Iranian official who recently issued a threatening message to Donald Trump and warned of potential retaliation against the United States was killed in an airstrike, according to reports from the Iranian Defence Ministry.
The Israeli Defence Forces confirmed they targeted the individual, Ali Larijani, who served as the Supreme National Security Council Secretary. A separate strike also claimed the life of the head of the Basji paramilitary unit, which has been deployed to quell protests within Iran.
“The Iranian nation is not afraid of your empty threats,” Larijani reportedly warned Trump days before his death. “Even those greater than you could not erase our people. Be cautious, or you may face the same fate.”
Larijani was part of the interim leadership group that managed Iran’s transition during the period when decisions were made about who would lead after Ali Khamenei. The Basji, an all-volunteer force under the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, was instrumental in suppressing civilian demonstrations during recent unrest.
While Larijani’s death was confirmed, General Qasem Soleimani, a key figure in Iran’s military operations, was said to have been killed in a Monday airstrike. However, Iran delayed acknowledging his passing, leaving uncertainty about his status.
The Israeli military described the Basji as part of the “armed apparatus of the Iranian terror regime,” citing their role in violently cracking down on protests. This included mass arrests and aggressive tactics during intensified demonstrations.
Mojtaba Khamenei, the eldest son of the former Ayatollah, was named as Soleimani’s successor last week. He survived a near-fatal strike, allegedly receiving urgent leg surgery in Russia following the attack.
According to Kuwaiti media, Khamenei was secretly removed from a bunker during an airstrike that also killed his family. He was transported to Moscow on a Russian military jet for critical treatment. The operation, described as “successful,” reportedly took place in one of Putin’s presidential buildings.
Medical details vary, with accounts ranging from minor injuries to severe trauma, including potential leg amputation or comatose condition. The report, citing an unnamed source close to the new supreme leader, highlights the emergency nature of the evacuation.
Iran later claimed Khamenei was alive, despite initial US reports of his death. The country’s leadership has since emphasized his survival, framing it as a testament to his resilience after Trump’s suggestion that he was “not” among the casualties.
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