By Obinna Uballa
Israel’s military has killed Iran’s influential security chief, Ali Larijani, alongside Basij commander Gholamreza Soleimani, in an overnight strike, according to Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Katz.
Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), was last seen publicly at a Quds Day march in Tehran on Friday. Iran has yet to confirm his death or report on his condition.
The strike comes amid escalating tensions across the Middle East, with reports of drones and rockets targeting the US embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, marking the second such attack in recent days.
The United Arab Emirates briefly closed its airspace over missile and drone threats from Iran but has now reopened it, while British Airways announced the suspension of some flights to the Middle East until the end of May due to ongoing uncertainty in the region.
Meanwhile, United States President Donald Trump has called on other nations, especially NATO allies, to take measures to secure the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments.
In another development, leaders of the UK, Canada, France, Germany, and Italy issued a joint statement warning that a significant Israeli ground offensive in Lebanon could lead to “devastating humanitarian consequences,” underscoring the rising regional instability.
