Tel Aviv, Israel – Israel said on Tuesday that it had killed Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council. Meanwhile, a senior Iranian official confirmed that the Iranian leadership had rejected proposals to de-escalate tensions or establish a ceasefire.
Larijani’s assassination and Israeli statements
Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz announced that Larijani was killed during ongoing operations, adding that the head of Iran’s Basij militia was also killed. However, there was no immediate official comment from Tehran on these statements, which concern one of Iran’s most prominent political and security figures and a close confidant of the Supreme Leader.
Iran rejects de-escalation
An Iranian official reported that the new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, rejected proposals presented by two countries through the Foreign Ministry to reduce tensions or reach a ceasefire with the United States. The official explained that Khamenei deemed the time “not right for peace” before what he described as forcing Washington and Israel to back down and pay reparations. He added that the meeting represented the first discussion of foreign policy since Khamenei assumed the position following his father’s death. He did not confirm whether Khamenei participated in person or via teleconference.
The repercussions of war and the global economy
The conflict between the United States and Israel on one side and Iran on the other has entered its third week, with at least 2,000 deaths and the Strait of Hormuz largely closed. This threatens global energy supplies. US President Donald Trump called on his allies to help reopen the strait, but most NATO countries have been hesitant to become involved in the conflict. The European Union, on the other hand, stressed the need for diplomatic solutions to avert energy and food crises. Oil prices rose by about two percent following renewed attacks on oil facilities in the UAE. This is increasing fears of a new wave of global inflation, after prices jumped by about 45 percent since the start of the conflict.
