After Raisi's assassination, Tehran launches retaliation; Iran's foreign minister: This will not deal a "fatal blow" to Iran's leadership

[Global Times Correspondent in Egypt Huang Peizhao, Global Times Reporter Bai Yunyi, Line Yifan] The Iranian Supreme National Security Council issued a statement early on the 18th confirming that Secretary Ali Larijani was killed in the airstrike. The Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced the launch of Operation “True Commitment-4” Wave 61 to avenge Larijani’s death. According to media such as CNN, Larijani is described as Iran’s “highest-ranking security official” and a key strategist in the country’s military and diplomatic policies since the conflict began. However, Iranian Foreign Minister Amir Abdollahian emphasized in an interview that Larijani’s death would not deal a “fatal blow” to Iran’s leadership, as Iran’s political structure remains strong. Israeli Defense Minister Gantz also stated on the 18th that Iran’s Intelligence Minister Ismail Hatif was killed in the Israeli attack on the evening of the 17th. This was later confirmed by the Iranian president.

Another development on the 18th also drew attention. According to Iran’s Mehr News Agency, Iranian South Pars gas refinery units 3 to 6 were attacked by US and Israeli drones. Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson quickly condemned the attack, calling Israel’s targeting of Iran’s gas facilities “dangerous and irresponsible.” Iran’s Tasnim News Agency reported that the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced plans to strike some petrochemical facilities in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar, urging local residents to evacuate.

Pezeshkian: Severely Punish the Perpetrators

On the 17th, Israel’s Prime Minister, Defense Minister, and military officials all stated that Larijani was killed in an Israeli attack. For years, Larijani was considered one of the most senior members of Iran’s leadership and a close associate of the late Supreme Leader Khamenei.

The Iranian Supreme National Security Council confirmed Larijani’s death in the airstrike on the 18th. According to a statement from Tasnim News Agency, Larijani died early on the 17th. His son Morteza Larijani, the deputy head of security affairs at the Supreme National Security Council, and several others accompanying him also perished.

Iranian President Pezeshkian expressed mourning over Larijani’s death and vowed revenge. In his statement, Pezeshkian said Larijani’s death was an irreplaceable loss, and the perpetrators would be severely punished. Iran will continue its resistance strategy combining rationality and foresight.

Media reports suggest Larijani was born in 1957 into a wealthy family in Najaf, Iraq. After the victory of the Iranian Islamic Revolution in 1979, he joined the IRGC and later moved into government roles. From 2008 to 2020, Larijani served three consecutive terms as Iran’s Parliament Speaker and played a significant role in the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. In 2025, he was appointed Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council.

CNN quoted Aziz, a researcher at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs, saying Larijani was “a true insider, at the core of the system for decades.” Aziz believed that replacing someone with Larijani’s experience would not be easy. He noted that Larijani’s death has limited direct impact on the war but complicates political management related to the conflict. Recently, Larijani had become Iran’s “main spokesperson” on the international stage, visiting Russia, Lebanon, the UAE, Oman, and others.

CNN commented that “Larijani’s death could prolong the war.” Bloomberg also mentioned concerns that his death might hinder diplomatic efforts aimed at “quickly ending” the conflict. Reports indicate Larijani had consistently refused US demands for Iran to surrender. Meanwhile, he generally supported diplomatic efforts to ease Iran’s economic isolation and worked to maintain Iran’s strategic position in the Middle East. The Egyptian newspaper Al-Masry Al-Youm noted that although Larijani held a tough stance on Western issues, he was often seen as a pragmatic figure. Bloomberg reported that some diplomats from other countries believed that if the war continued, Larijani could serve as a bridge for negotiations. “Israel seems to be shifting focus toward those who might push for a political resolution,” said Gremeyer, Deputy Director of the Middle East and North Africa Program at the European Council on Foreign Relations.

Iranian Foreign Minister Amir Abdollahian told Qatar’s Al Jazeera on the 18th that Larijani’s death would not be a “fatal blow” to Iran’s leadership. “I don’t understand why the US and Israel don’t realize this: Iran’s political system is strong and robust, with well-established political, economic, and social institutions. The presence or absence of a single individual will not affect this system.” Iran’s Fars News Agency, citing informed sources on the evening of the 17th, reported that Iran had pre-designated 3 to 7 alternate officials and military commanders to ensure continuity of key government functions in case of emergencies.

Iranian Gas Facilities Attack Becomes New Focus

On the 18th, the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced the launch of Operation “True Commitment-4” Wave 61 to avenge Larijani’s death. According to Iran’s Fars News Agency, the statement said that in this round of strikes, Iran launched “Castle Destroyer,” “Emad,” and multi-warhead “Khoramshahr-4” and “Qader” missiles. The missiles hit over a hundred military and security targets in Tel Aviv, Israel, “without any interference.” Following the attack, some areas of Tel Aviv experienced power outages.

On the 18th, smoke rose from multiple locations in Israel after the Iranian missile attack. Channel 12 footage showed what appeared to be missile debris hitting a train station in Tel Aviv, damaging the platform and trains.

Meanwhile, Israel’s attacks on Iran and Lebanon continued. Al Jazeera reported that Defense Minister Gantz stated on the 18th that Israel’s attack on Iran on the night of the 17th resulted in the death of Iran’s Intelligence Minister Hatif. According to a statement from the Israeli Defense Ministry, Gantz said during a security assessment meeting that he and Prime Minister Netanyahu had jointly decided to authorize the Israeli military to strike “any senior Iranian officials” without prior approval.

Additionally, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps confirmed on the 17th that Badr militia commander Suleimani was killed in the joint US-Israeli attack. Israeli military sources say the Badr militia is an important part of Iran’s armed forces.

Iranian media reported on the 18th that parts of the South Pars and Asaluyeh petrochemical facilities in Khuzestan Province were attacked. Mehr News Agency said that South Pars units 3 to 6 were targeted by US and Israeli drones. Israel’s public broadcaster reported that the Israeli military attacked Iran’s “largest gas facility” in the south of Iran. These reports quickly drew widespread international attention. AFP noted that following the attack on Iran’s gas facilities, Brent crude futures rose 5%, reaching $108 per barrel.

The New York Times reported on the 18th that Israel also intensified airstrikes on central Beirut, destroying buildings and forcing residents to evacuate neighborhoods previously considered safe. The report indicated this marked a “sharp escalation” in Israel’s military operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon.

“Not losing is winning,” and “not winning is losing”

The Australian website “Dialogue” published an article on the 17th stating that the war in the Middle East has entered its third week, with Iran, the US, and Israel showing no signs of stopping. The conflict is becoming increasingly brutal. It is clear that the US and Israel launched a war lacking clear objectives, strategy, timeline, and justification. Although Iran lacks the overwhelming firepower of the US and Israel, its resilience has exceeded expectations and it is more goal-oriented and strategic.

Tasnim News Agency quoted Iranian experts on the 18th, saying that a mistaken belief among enemies is that Iran would at least adopt a conciliatory policy in some areas. But in reality, Iran knows that appeasement has proven to be a failure. The conflict between Iran and the US-Israel is an asymmetric war, where firepower advantage is not the decisive factor. The key is whether the opponent perceives the cost of continuing the war as heavy and pointless. For Iran, “not losing is winning,” while the US sees the opposite—“not winning is losing.” Tehran is very clear that it must not fear losses; if it cannot establish sufficient deterrence through this war and chooses to cease fire impulsively, it will lose everything in the next round of conflict. Iran’s goal is to achieve long-term deterrence and fight to the end for long-term survival.