High-ranking Iranian officials killed after airstrike on Tehran

The Iranian authorities have officially confirmed the deaths of Gholamreza Soleimani, head of the paramilitary Basijforce, and Ali Larijani, secretary of the National Security Council, following an airstrike on Tehran, reports DW.

Sources close to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps stated that Soleimani died a "martyr’s death," and the IRGC has vowed not to abandon its intention for retaliation. The official statement described him as a victim of a "terrorist attack."

The National Security Council also confirmed the death of Larijani. Previously, the information had been released by the Israel Defense Forces, but Tehran initially did not confirm it.

According to Israel Katz, the strike occurred on March 16 as a precisely targeted airstrike. Iranian President Masud Pezeshkian promised a "harsh response" to the incident.

The Basij organization is responsible for internal security and suppressing anti-government protests, while Larijani coordinated political and security affairs in the country and participated in nuclear program negotiations.