Israel Eliminates Iran’s ‘De Facto Leader’ Larijani in Major Strike as Regime Leadership Crumbles

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Chief

(Worthy News) – Israel confirmed Tuesday that it eliminated Iran’s top security figure, Ali Larijani, in a targeted overnight airstrike in Tehran—marking one of the most significant blows to Iran’s leadership since the killing of former supreme leader Ali Khamenei.

Israeli officials described Larijani as the “de facto leader” of the Iranian regime in the aftermath of Khamenei’s death, saying he had taken control of day-to-day operations, including military coordination and nuclear negotiations.

The strike, carried out by the Israel Defense Forces, is being viewed as a pivotal moment in the conflict, with leaders indicating it could significantly alter the strategic balance inside Iran.

Basij Leadership Decimated

In parallel strikes, Israel also announced the killing of Gholamreza Soleimani, head of the regime’s Basij paramilitary force, along with his deputy and much of the organization’s senior leadership.

Israeli officials said the group had relocated to a temporary encampment to avoid detection after previous strikes hit known facilities. Despite those efforts, Israeli intelligence successfully tracked and targeted the leadership.

The Basij has long been a central tool of internal repression, accused by Israel of leading violent crackdowns against Iranian civilians during waves of anti-government protests.

Netanyahu: “We Are Undermining the Regime”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed authorizing the strike, calling Larijani the “boss” of a “gangster regime.”

“We’re undermining the regime, in the hope of giving the Iranian nation the opportunity to get rid of it,” Netanyahu said in a video statement. “It won’t happen all at once, but if we persist, we can give them the chance to take their fate into their own hands.”

Defense Minister Israel Katz echoed the sentiment, declaring that Iran’s leadership was being systematically dismantled.

Power Vacuum Deepens in Tehran

Larijani’s death adds to a rapidly growing leadership vacuum inside Iran.

Although Mojtaba Khamenei has been formally named successor, intelligence assessments indicate he is severely wounded and largely absent from public view, raising doubts about his ability to govern.

Attention is now turning to Ahmad Vahidi, who was recently elevated to lead the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Analysts suggest Vahidi—previously a lesser-known figure—may now hold significant behind-the-scenes authority due to the IRGC’s central role in Iran’s power structure.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has issued statements but is widely viewed as lacking real control over the country’s security apparatus.

Strategic Turning Point

Israeli officials emphasized that Larijani had been instrumental in directing Iran’s war strategy against Israel and coordinating international efforts tied to the conflict. His removal, alongside other top commanders, represents a calculated effort to destabilize the regime from within.

While Tehran has not officially confirmed the deaths, it released an undated handwritten statement attributed to Larijani shortly after Israel’s announcement—further fueling speculation about the regime’s internal disarray.

Prophetic Perspective

Prophecy observers watching the unfolding conflict note that the region historically known as Elam—located in modern-day Iran—is specifically mentioned in the Bible. In Jeremiah 49, the prophet foretold a time when God would “break the bow of Elam” and remove its “kings and officials,” yet also promised that “in the latter days I will restore the fortunes of Elam” (Jeremiah 49:34–39).

Some observers see the rapid turnover of Iranian leadership during the current conflict as potentially aligning with that ancient prophecy. They note how terrorist organizations such as Hezbollah have already seen newly appointed leaders eliminated within days of taking power, raising questions about whether similar instability could unfold within Iran’s own leadership.

While interpretations vary, many believers view these developments through a broader biblical lens — seeing world events as part of God’s unfolding redemptive plan. Scripture ultimately points toward a future when the Lord gathers people from every tribe and nation into His kingdom through Jesus Christ, bringing restoration not only to nations but to the world itself.

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