Iranian defence chief who issued sinister warning to Trump is killed in airstrike
Iranian Defense Chief, Who Warned Trump of Threat, Killed in Airstrike
Iran’s Defense Ministry confirmed the death of Ali Larijani, a top official who had previously issued a chilling warning to Donald Trump, in an Israeli missile attack late last night.
The Israeli military force, known as the IDF, stated they targeted Larijani, alongside the leader of the Basji paramilitary group, in separate strikes. Both were struck down during the operation, marking a significant blow to Iranian leadership.
“The nation of Iran is not afraid of your empty threats,” Larijani had warned Trump just days prior. “Even those bigger than you could not eliminate the Iranian nation. Watch yourselves, or you might be eliminated!”
Larijani served on the interim leadership council, which determined the successor to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. His role in this body highlighted his influence within Iran’s political and military hierarchy.
The Basji, an all-volunteer unit under the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, has been instrumental in quelling uprisings within the Islamic Republic. The Israeli statement described them as a key component of Iran’s armed apparatus, operating as a repressive tool under Soleimani’s command.
Meanwhile, General Qasem Soleimani, a prominent military figure, was reportedly killed in Monday’s strike. However, Iran delayed confirming his death, keeping details under wraps for days.
The U.S. Treasury lists Soleimani as born in 1965, noting his long-standing role in orchestrating violent suppression of dissent through the Basji. He has faced sanctions from the U.S., European Union, and other countries for years.
Surviving the Strike: Mojtaba Khamenei’s Secret Evacuation
Following the attack, Mojtaba Khamenei, the eldest son of the former Ayatollah, was allegedly injured in a separate U.S. airstrike. He was reportedly taken to Russia for urgent leg surgery, according to unverified reports.
Kuwaiti outlet Al-Jarida claimed that the new Ayatollah was removed from a bunker strike that killed his wife, mother, father, and son. The operation, described as top secret, saw him transported to Moscow via a Russian military plane.
After undergoing treatment in one of Vladimir Putin’s palaces, Khamenei issued a bloodthirsty call for retaliation, vowing vengeance against the U.S. and its allies. The extent of his injuries remains unclear, with accounts ranging from a fractured foot to the loss of a limb or even a coma.
Iran’s officials have asserted that the new Ayatollah is alive, contradicting U.S. reports. The ministry cited Trump’s earlier claim as a reason for the delay in official confirmation.
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