Middle East Crisis Iran War

Larijani's Last Shot to the Gulf States: "Is Iran Expected to Just Sit Still?"

Iranian media published a handwritten note allegedly written by regime leader Ali Larijani shortly after reports of his killing by Israel began to circulate on Tuesday, several media outlets reported.

Some media outlets wrote that it appeared as if the Iranian regime was trying to deny the reports by publishing it, but others emphasized that it is unclear whether the purpose was to claim that Larijani is alive.

The note pays tribute to Iranian soldiers killed in US attacks, according to Sky News. There is no information about last night's attack in the statement.

Earlier this morning, Larijani made another statement, just hours before Israel announced that he had been killed. In it, the security chief called on Muslims around the world to support Iran in its war against the US and Israel. He also directed a shot at the Gulf States.

"Is Iran expected to just sit still and do nothing while American bases in your countries are used to attack us?" Larijani stated according to the BBC.

Expert: Larijani's death a huge setback for Iran

The killing of Ali Larijani, head of Iran's Supreme Security Council, by Israel during the night is a major blow to the Iranian regime. Professor Mohammad Fazlhashemi tells TT.

- If he had been killed in the attacks, it would be the biggest setback since Khamenei's death, he says.

Larijani has long been one of Iran's most powerful men. He was very close to the former Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed by Israel at the beginning of the war. According to Fazlhashemi, Larijani had been given several important assignments by Khamenei the Elder.

- Especially when it comes to the war. 

Iran confirms: Military leader Soleimani is dead

Iran's Revolutionary Guard confirms that military leader Gholamreza Soleimani has been killed, writes AFP.

Gholamreza Soleimani was the head of the Iranian paramilitary militia Basij. This morning Swedish time, information came from Israel that he had been killed in an Israeli attack on Iran.

Basij is said to have played a prominent role in the brutal violence used to suppress the country's major protests this winter.