Katz said the strikes also eliminated Gen. Gholam Reza Soleimani, commander of the Basij militia the paramilitary arm of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard marking what Israeli officials described as a significant blow to Tehran’s security leadership.

Iranian authorities have not yet confirmed Larijani’s death, and some reports say his fate remains uncertain.

Background: A Broader War That Has Raged for Weeks

The conflict began on February 28, when a powerful U.S.–Israeli air campaign struck key locations in Iran’s capital, killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other senior officials, according to Iranian government acknowledgments and independent reporting.

Since then, Iran has responded with waves of long‑range missile and drone strikes against Israeli territory and U.S. bases in the region, while Israel has maintained its campaign of targeted strikes against key elements of Iran’s military and security apparatus.

The violence has repeatedly spilled across borders, heightening fears of a regional conflagration.

Iranian Retaliation Strikes Gulf States

In a marked expansion of the conflict, Iran has launched missile and drone strikes on neighbouring Gulf Arab states, including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Kuwait according to regional reports.

These attacks have led to interceptions by Gulf air defences, civilian casualties and property damage, especially in the UAE. In one incident reported in Abu Dhabi, a missile strike on a civilian vehicle killed at least one person, prompting heightened security alerts.

Across the Gulf, authorities have scrambled to respond to Iranian launches, with air defences engaging missiles and drones approaching from the north.

Humanitarian and Economic Fallout

The intensification of the war is straining regional stability:

• Neighbouring states are preparing for a potential refugee crisis as instability persists.
• Global oil markets continue to be unsettled as disruptions to shipping in and around the Strait of Hormuz worry traders and governments alike.
• Civilian populations in multiple countries are living under the threat of incoming missiles, with air‑raid sirens sounding and emergency services on high alert.

Diplomatic Pressures and International Response

World leaders are calling for restraint but so far, diplomatic efforts to de‑escalate have not halted hostilities. U.S. President Donald Trump has urged allies to assist in securing maritime channels and deterring further Iranian attacks, though several states have declined deeper involvement.

Iran has simultaneously expressed a desire to reassess ties with its Gulf neighbours, arguing that the crisis underscores the need for a “serious review” of regional relations after repeated missile attacks.

Outlook: Conflict Hard to Contain

The lack of independent confirmation about key leadership deaths including Larijani’s adds fog to an already volatile situation. Both sides appear entrenched, and military operations show no sign of abating. As the war enters its fourth week, the risk of further escalation and broader regional destabilisation remains high.

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In a recent message directed at the Iranian public, Netanyahu urged citizens to rise up against their leadership, saying the military pressure created by Israel’s strikes could provide an opportunity for political transformation within the country.

Calls for Iranians to challenge leadership

Netanyahu said Israel’s fight is not against the Iranian people but against what he described as a “tyrannical regime,” encouraging citizens to seize the moment and challenge the Islamic Republic’s leadership.

In his remarks, the Israeli leader emphasized that any fundamental change in Iran must ultimately come from its own population. Still, his comments marked one of the clearest indications that Israel’s campaign could go beyond military objectives and potentially reshape Iran’s political leadership.

Analysts say such messaging is aimed at increasing pressure on Tehran’s ruling establishment while attempting to rally domestic opposition inside Iran.

Military campaign intensifies

Israel’s military operation against Iran has targeted nuclear facilities, missile infrastructure, and key figures within the country’s military and security apparatus. Israeli officials say the goal is to dismantle what they describe as Iran’s growing nuclear and ballistic missile threat.

The conflict escalated rapidly after Israeli and allied strikes hit Iranian military infrastructure, triggering retaliatory missile and drone attacks from Tehran against Israeli and U.S. targets across the region.

Netanyahu has vowed that Israel will continue the campaign “with all our force,” warning that the next phase of the operation could involve further unexpected developments.

Debate over regime change

Despite the strong rhetoric, Israeli officials have repeatedly said that regime change is not the formal objective of the military operation. Instead, the stated aim remains weakening Iran’s nuclear program and limiting its ability to threaten Israel and regional allies.

However, Netanyahu has acknowledged that the weakening of Iran’s leadership through sustained military pressure could result in political upheaval.

“The issue of regime change is first and foremost a matter for the Iranian people,” he said previously, adding that it could emerge as a consequence rather than a declared objective.

International reactions

The escalation has drawn mixed international reactions. While some governments have expressed support for efforts to curb Iran’s nuclear capabilities, others warn that calls for regime change could further destabilize the Middle East.

More than 100 Iranians living abroad recently urged Western leaders not to support the war, arguing that foreign military action could strengthen the Iranian regime rather than weaken it by rallying domestic support around the government.

Outlook

As military operations continue, analysts say the conflict could significantly reshape the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East.

Whether the campaign will weaken Iran’s leadership or trigger broader instability remains uncertain, but Netanyahu’s latest comments underscore how the war’s ambitions may extend beyond military objectives to potential political change inside Iran.

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Speaking at the event, which marked America’s 249th Independence Day, Netanyahu praised the enduring partnership between the two nations. “Israel is a strong country. We will fight back. We will defend ourselves,” he said, reinforcing Israel’s position amid ongoing regional tensions.

The Prime Minister also revealed that Israeli intelligence and defense operations recently thwarted what could have been a major massacre of Druze civilians in Syria, allegedly planned by Iran-backed forces operating near the Israeli border. He credited Israeli security forces with “preventing a tragedy of immense scale,” noting that Israel remains committed to protecting vulnerable communities in the region.

Strengthening Ties

The annual U.S. Independence Day event serves as a symbolic reaffirmation of the U.S.-Israel alliance, which has been a cornerstone of both nations’ foreign policy for decades. Since the establishment of Israel in 1948, the United States has been its staunchest ally, providing military aid, diplomatic support, and technological cooperation.

“We are united by our democratic values, by our commitment to freedom, and by our shared enemies,” Netanyahu said, standing alongside U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Jack Lew.

A Message Amid Conflict

Netanyahu’s comments come amid increasing instability along Israel’s northern border, particularly with Hezbollah activity in Lebanon and ongoing Iranian influence in Syria. The Prime Minister has made national security a central theme of his current term, especially following the October 7, 2023, Hamas led attack that escalated Israel’s security concerns across multiple fronts.

“This is not a time to show weakness,” Netanyahu declared. “Our enemies should know we are watching, we are ready, and we will respond.”

Diplomatic Presence

The reception was attended by several high ranking Israeli officials, American diplomats, and members of the international community. Ambassador Lew echoed Netanyahu’s sentiments, calling the U.S.-Israel alliance “unbreakable” and “vital to regional and global stability.”

Background: Israel-U.S. Relations

Israel and the U.S. established formal diplomatic relations in 1949. Over the decades, the relationship has evolved into one of strategic depth, including military cooperation, intelligence sharing, and a shared approach to regional threats, particularly those posed by Iran and its proxy networks.

While the two countries have had disagreements over policy such as settlement activity, the Iran nuclear deal, and Gaza strategy the core alliance has remained strong.

In a major diplomatic development, the White House has confirmed that President Donald J. Trump will host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for high-level talks in Washington next Monday. The meeting is expected to focus on a potential ceasefire in Gaza, ongoing efforts to secure the release of hostages, and broader regional security in the Middle East.

This marks Netanyahu’s first official visit to Washington since the latest phase of the Gaza conflict escalated tensions in the region. According to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, the Trump administration has maintained “constant communication” with Israeli leadership as the President continues to press for a ceasefire and long-term resolution.

“Bringing an end to the Gaza conflict is a top priority for President Trump,” Leavitt said during Thursday’s press briefing. “The President is fully engaged in these talks and determined to support efforts for peace while ensuring Israel’s security.”

The announcement follows the visit of Israeli Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer, who held a series of closed-door meetings with senior U.S. administration officials earlier this week. Discussions reportedly included topics such as the terms of a Gaza ceasefire, strategies to deter Iranian aggression, and security guarantees for Israel in a post-conflict scenario.

Netanyahu’s visit underscores a renewed push by the Trump administration to mediate a deal that could bring an end to the months-long war. Sources familiar with the diplomatic efforts say the administration is leveraging back-channel communications with Egypt and Qatar two key mediators with Hamas to bridge final gaps in a ceasefire and prisoner exchange proposal.

While both U.S. and Israeli officials have expressed cautious optimism, significant hurdles remain, including disagreements over security arrangements in Gaza and the timeline for Israeli troop withdrawals. Additionally, domestic political pressure on Netanyahu from hardliners within his coalition has made concessions more difficult.

President Trump, who has touted himself as a broker of peace in the past referencing the Abraham Accords as a model seeks to reignite American leadership in the region through strategic diplomacy.

Foreign policy analysts say next week’s meeting could be pivotal.

“This is not just a bilateral visit; it’s part of a broader geopolitical reset,” said Dr. Miriam Goldstein, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. “The U.S. wants to reclaim its central role in Middle East diplomacy, and this meeting may help lay the groundwork for that.”

The White House has not yet released the full agenda for Monday’s meeting, but insiders expect it to include extended talks, a joint press briefing, and possibly the announcement of new humanitarian initiatives in Gaza.

As anticipation builds, global eyes will be on Washington next week for potential breakthroughs.

Iran’s state-run news agency denied claims that Iran fired missiles at Israel following the start of the ceasefire, calling such reports “false.” The denial comes in response to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), which stated that two missiles were launched from Iranian territory after the ceasefire went into effect, triggering air raid sirens in northern Israel.

Local residents in the region reported hearing interceptions, though no immediate casualties or damage were confirmed.

Elsewhere, Iran’s semi-official media reported that a senior commander of the Basij paramilitary force was killed in an earlier Israeli airstrike a development that could further inflame tensions.

Despite the volatility, European Commission President Kaja Kallas said today that the fragile ceasefire should serve as an opportunity to return to negotiations. “The ceasefire, though fragile, is a necessary first step toward diplomatic dialogue,” she said.

U.S. President Donald Trump, who helped broker the ceasefire, also weighed in. Speaking at a press event, Trump said he opposes regime change in Iran, warning that such actions would lead to “chaos.” He reiterated that diplomacy, not escalation, should guide the next steps.

The ceasefire was declared less than 24 hours ago, following nearly two weeks of military exchanges between Israel and Iran. International observers are closely watching to see if the agreement holds.

Iran’s Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib announced the alleged acquisition on state media, saying the materials “expose hidden aspects of Israel’s national security infrastructure,” including ties with the United States and European allies.

“We have obtained sensitive documents from within the Israeli regime,” Khatib stated, though no files or proof have been made public. “These documents reveal the full scale of Israeli nuclear capabilities and their covert alliances.”

The claim has not been independently verified and comes at a time of heightened friction over Iran’s own nuclear program. Tehran remains locked in a standoff with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which has criticized Iran’s lack of transparency and cooperation.

Analysts suggest the announcement may be a response to Israel’s 2018 operation, when Mossad agents reportedly extracted a large archive of Iranian nuclear documents from a Tehran warehouse  evidence Israel used to accuse Iran of deceiving the international community about its nuclear ambitions.

Iran’s current narrative appears aimed at challenging that precedent and bolstering its image amid diplomatic isolation and domestic unrest.

Neither the Israeli government nor its intelligence services have publicly commented on the latest Iranian claims.