Iran has suffered another huge blow after its top security chief was killed in a deadly overnight Israeli airstrike, the defence minister said. Israel Katz confirmed the death of Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani, though his claims were quickly disputed.

Iran released a handwritten note, which it said was from Larijani, commemorating the deaths of Iranian Navy personnel. It said: “The martyrdom of the naval heroes of the Islamic Republic Army in Dena is part of the sacrifices of the brave nation that has emerged in this era of struggle against international oppressors…

“Their memory will always remain in the heart of the Iranian nation, and these martyrdoms will fortify the foundation of the Islamic Republic’s army for years to come within the structure of the armed forces.

“I ask Almighty God to grant them the highest ranks.”

Larijani was one of the two representatives of the previous supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, to the council. In his post as secretary, he functioned as the top negotiator on issues of national security, including Iran’s nuclear program.

According to a report, Larijani was the “mastermind” behind the crackdown, leveraging his close ties to IRGC commanders and intelligence services, and his family’s longstanding connections to senior clerics.

The IDF also confirmed it killed Basij Resistance Force commander Gholamreza Soleimani and deputy commander, along with several other top officials, in the strike.

It wrote on X: “Yesterday, the IDF targeted & eliminated Gholamreza Soleimani, who operated as commander of the Basij unit for the past 6 years.

“Under Soleimani, the Basij unit led the main repression operations in Iran, employing severe violence, widespread arrests, and the use of force against civilian demonstrators.”