Tehran: The assassination of Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, will not undermine the country’s leadership, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said.
“I do not know why the Americans and the Israelis still have not understood this point: The Islamic Republic of Iran has a strong political structure with established political, economic, and social institutions,” Araghchi said in an Al Jazeera interview aired after the strike.
Larijani, 67, was killed along with his son Morteza while visiting his daughter on the eastern outskirts of Tehran’s Pardis district, Reuters reported, citing Fars news agency.
Israel announced the overnight airstrike first. This was confirmed in a statement issued by Iran’s Supreme National Security Council hours later. “The presence or absence of a single individual does not affect this structure,” Araghchi added. “Of course, individuals are influential, and each person plays their role – some better, some worse, some less – but what matters is that the political system in Iran is a very solid structure.”
Meanwhile, Iran launched a missile barrage at Israel on Wednesday in retaliation, killing two people near Tel Aviv, according to Israeli reports.
Separately, Gulf states intercepted additional rockets and drones targeting sites including US bases.
Funerals for Larijani and Gholamreza Soleimani — head of the Basij paramilitary force killed in a separate Israeli strike Tuesday — will be held later on Wednesday, according to Fars and Tasnim news agencies.
Larijani’s death ranks among the most significant losses for Iran since the February 28 operations that killed the former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei triggering the wider Middle East conflict.
Meanwhile, Iranian army chief Amir Hatami has issued a stark warning: “Iran’s response to the assassination of the secretary of the Supreme National Security Council will be decisive and regrettable.”
