Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly claimed responsibility for the targeted killing of Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, during ongoing aerial operations against Iranian targets. The announcement marks a significant escalation in the already tense military confrontation between the two nations.
Netanyahu revealed that Israeli fighter jets and drones are currently conducting extensive operations over Tehran and multiple other Iranian cities. In a statement delivered on Tuesday, the Israeli leader asserted that these military campaigns are strategically designed to create conditions conducive to potential “regime change” within Iran’s political establishment.
The Israeli military operation, now in its eighteenth consecutive day, represents one of the most sustained aerial campaigns in recent Middle Eastern conflict history. According to Israeli Defense Forces statements, the wide-scale strikes have specifically targeted Iranian government infrastructure throughout Tehran, resulting in the additional death of Gholamreza Soleimani, commander of Iran’s Basij volunteer force.
Netanyahu further disclosed extensive military coordination with the United States, noting prolonged discussions with President Donald Trump regarding cooperative strategic operations. “We will act both through indirect measures that place immense pressure on the Iranian regime and through direct actions. There are many more surprises,” Netanyahu stated, suggesting further escalations ahead.
Iranian authorities have reported substantial casualties and widespread structural damage throughout affected regions, though official confirmation regarding Larijani’s status remains pending. In retaliation, Iranian forces have effectively halted commercial shipping through the critical Strait of Hormuz, drawing neighboring nations into the expanding regional conflict and potentially disrupting global energy supplies.
The absence of immediate Iranian response to Israel’s specific claims regarding Larijani’s death creates uncertainty about the complete veracity of Netanyahu’s assertions, though the broader context of sustained military engagement remains undisputed.