20 One-Ton Bombs: The Moment Israel Wiped Out Iran’s Second in Command
Ali Larijani, the man effectively running Iran after the death of the Supreme Leader, has been killed alongside his son in a massive Israeli strike involving 20 one-ton bombs.
Israeli intelligence and air power have successfully eliminated Ali Larijani, the Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council and the man widely considered the second most powerful figure in the Iranian regime. Larijani, who had been managing the Islamic Republic’s affairs in the power vacuum following the death of Ali Khamenei, was targeted in a secret hideout in the suburbs of Tehran. The operation, which involved a fleet of fighter jets dropping 20 massive one-ton bombs on a single structure, ensured the total destruction of the building and the death of everyone inside. Iranian state media has since confirmed his death, marking a historic blow to the regime’s stability and its ability to maintain command during the ongoing war.
The Midnight Intelligence Break
The operation began late Monday night when Israeli military intelligence received high-quality information indicating that Larijani had moved into a "safe house" in a Tehran suburb. This was not a permanent residence but one in a series of apartments prepared in advance for the regime's elite to use as escape routes. Intelligence officials worked through the night to verify that Larijani was indeed inside the building. Once final confirmation was received, the order was given to the fighter jets already patrolling the skies over the Iranian capital. A security official later remarked that there was "no chance" Larijani could have survived the sheer force of the 20 bombs dropped on the location. His son, who was staying with him at the time, was also killed in the blast.
A Leader in the Shadows
Until his death, Larijani was viewed as the most influential person remaining in the regime, serving as the de facto leader of the country. Just days prior to the strike, he had appeared publicly during an Iranian "Jerusalem Day" march, walking among crowds of civilians in what was believed to be an attempt to use them as human shields. During that appearance, he taunted President Donald Trump, claiming the American leader "does not understand that the Iranian people are mature and strong." Larijani was also the primary architect of the brutal suppression of internal protests in January, making him a primary target for both the Israeli military and the Iranian opposition. His removal leaves the regime without its most experienced political strategist at a time when its military infrastructure is being systematically dismantled.
