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This came hours after Israel claimed eliminating two top Iranian security officials, who were eventually confirmed dead by the Iranian state media and authorities. The remarks signal an escalation in Israel's rhetoric as its military campaign against Iran and its proxies widens.
Mojtaba Khamenei has not appeared publicly since being named the new Supreme Leader of Iran. (Reuters photo)
New Delhi,UPDATED: Mar 18, 2026 03:49 IST
Israel’s military has put Iran’s top leadership squarely in its crosshairs, with a direct warning aimed at its most powerful figure. "We will find him," said Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin, as he strongly asserted that new Iranian Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is "not immune" and vowed that he will be hunted down as part of the Jewish state's ongoing campaign.
"Mojtaba Khamenei, we don't know his fate. We don't hear him, we don’t see him," Defrin said at a press briefing, according to The Times of Israel. Then came the warning: "He is not immune. We will pursue him, find him, and neutralise him."
The remarks signal an escalation in Israel's rhetoric as its military campaign against Iran and its proxies widens.
Defrin made clear that Israel’s approach would remain unchanged. "We will continue – as we have proven – to pursue anyone who poses a threat to the State of Israel," he said, adding that "anyone who raises a hand against it is not immune from us."
The IDF also indicated that its operations are not limited to Iran’s top leadership alone. Defrin said Israel would continue targeting Iran’s Basij forces, a powerful voluntary militia within the wider Revolutionary Guards, declaring: "We will reach everyone, no matter where or when."
Hours earlier, Israel had announced that its military had managed to kill top Iranian security official, Ali Larijani, in an overnight strike, and also Gen. Gholamreza Soleimani, the commander of the Basij force. Iranian state media and authorities eventually confirmed the deaths of both high-ranking officials.
Both men were key to Iran’s security establishment.
WHO WERE LARIJANI AND SOLEIMANI?
The Basij force, which Soleimani headed, is generally considered the primary choice of the Shia theocracy to suppress any public show of dissent, with their role being particularly documented during the brutal clampdown on the widespread protests that took place across Iran following the 2022 custodial death of Mahsa Amini.
On the other hand, Ali Larijani was widely believed to be running Iran since the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. He was allegedly involved in overseeing the violent crackdown on protests that swept Iran in January this year. Ali Larijani was the Secretary of Iran’s Supreme Security Council.
- Ends
(With inputs from agencies)
Published On:
Mar 18, 2026 03:49 IST
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