Iran Bombards Central Israel in Retaliation for Larijani's Death
Shortly after the Iranian government confirmed the death of Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, a significant attack was launched from Iran towards central Israel. The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) promised a more intense response following what it described as the heinous assassination by Israel.
Videos showed cluster munitions detonating in the sky and dispersing fiery shrapnel across wide areas. Several instances of damage were reported in the Tel Aviv region. Damage was also reported in Jerusalem, Ramat Gan, and Bnei Brak, all locations within and around central Israel.
Two people were believed killed in the strikes – a man and a woman in their seventies who, according to initial reports, were not in shelters. Five people were possibly wounded in the Sharon area.
The IRGC stated that the attack on Tel Aviv was “retaliation” for Larijani’s assassination. Channel 12 reported that at least four locations in the city of Kafr Qassem were struck following the latest Iranian missile barrage. “There is severe property damage,” the report stated. “Two injured persons were treated at one of the incident sites.”
The IRGC claimed its missiles “successfully struck more than 100 military and security targets at the heart” of Israel in response to Larijani’s assassination and that of his associates. In a statement carried by the Fars news agency, the IRGC said these sites were attacked due to the “collapse” of Israel’s “layered and highly advanced” defence system.
The IRGC stated it deployed Khorramshahr 4, Qadr, Emad, and Khaiber Shekan missiles in the “retaliatory” attack.
In a statement published by Iran’s Tasnim news agency, the IRGC described Larijani as a “prominent figure, thinker [and] revolutionary politician.” They emphasised that “the sacred blood of these great martyrs, like other beloved martyrs, will be a source of honour, strength, and national resurrection.”
“The IRGC will certainly not forget the thirst for blood of these great martyrs and other martyrs,” it added.