Iranian defence chief who issued sinister warning to Trump is killed in airstrike
Iranian Defence Chief Killed in Airstrike After Warning Trump
Ali Larijani, a senior Iranian official, was killed in an Israeli airstrike last night, as confirmed by Iran’s Defence Ministry. The attack targeted him following a bold warning he issued to Donald Trump earlier in the week.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) stated they carried out the operation, while also noting a separate strike eliminated the head of the Basji paramilitary group. Larijani had previously warned Trump:
“The nation of Iran is not afraid of your empty threats. Even those bigger than you could not eliminate the Iranian nation. Watch yourselves, or you might be eliminated!”
As a key member of the interim leadership council, Larijani influenced Iran’s political direction during the transition period. The Basji forces, under his command, were instrumental in quelling protests within the Islamic Republic.
General Gholam Reza Soleimani, a prominent figure in Iran’s military, was reported killed on Monday. However, Iran delayed confirming his death, leaving uncertainty about the exact circumstances. The IDF cited Soleimani’s role in orchestrating violent crackdowns during recent demonstrations, calling him a leader of the Basij force.
Meanwhile, Mojtaba Khamenei, the eldest son of the former Ayatollah, was announced as Soleimani’s successor. Yet, he survived a near-fatal US airstrike and was secretly evacuated to Russia for critical leg surgery. Despite initial US reports of his death, Khamenei recently issued a fierce statement demanding retaliation against the United States and its allies.
According to Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Jarida, Khamenei was smuggled out of Iran during a bunker strike that claimed his wife, mother, father, and son. The operation, described as top secret, transported the wounded leader to Moscow on a Russian military jet. He reportedly underwent a successful procedure in one of Vladimir Putin’s presidential palaces.
Reports on Khamenei’s injuries vary, ranging from minor cuts to severe leg trauma or even a coma. The unverified details were shared by a high-ranking source close to the new Iranian Supreme Leader. Iran later affirmed Khamenei’s survival, contradicting earlier claims of his demise.
Additional Information
Al-Jarida highlighted the clandestine evacuation, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. The US Treasury notes Soleimani was born in 1965 and has been sanctioned by multiple nations for his role in suppressing dissent through the Basij.
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