Iran’s military structure is crumbling by leaps and bounds after Israel’s air offensive. This Tuesday, the Revolutionary Guard confirmed the death of Gholamreza Soleimani, who for the last six years was in charge of the Basij, the paramilitary militia in charge of internal security and citizen repression.
The announcement, released by the official Fars and Tasnim agencies, describes the Israeli attack as a “terrorist act” and highlights Soleimani’s “strategic and unparalleled” role within the regime’s forces.
The enforcement arm of repression
🔴Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council and the regime’s effective leader, has been eliminated.
Throughout the years, Larijani was considered one of the most veteran and senior figures within the Iranian regime leadership, and was a close associate… pic.twitter.com/kBIgSSGBm0
– Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) March 17, 2026
For the Israeli Army and various international organizations, Soleimani was not a martyr, but the architect of extreme violence.
Under his command, the Basij militia led shock operations against the mass protests in early January.
He is accused of orchestrating:
Mass arrests of dissidents and students.
Use of lethal force in the streets, where thousands of people lost their lives in recent months.
Surveillance and punishment operations against those who challenged the established order in Tehran.
Basij leader Gholamreza Soleimani dies
BREAKING: Gholamreza Soleimani, the commander of Iran’s Basij paramilitary force, has been killed in a US-Israel attack, according to Iranian state media. pic.twitter.com/GGmtU6pgqe
– Al Jazeera Breaking News (@AJENews) March 17, 2026
Soleimani’s death occurred in the same operation where Ali Lariyani, secretary of the National Security Council, was eliminated.
While Lariyani represented the diplomatic and political mind, Soleimani was the iron fist in the streets.
The Israeli Defense Ministry described the mission as a “precise strike” by the air force, designed to simultaneously disrupt the strategic and operational control of the Persian country.
What’s next for the Basij?
US President Donald Trump says senior Iranian figures were killed, referring to Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, and Basij commander Gholamreza Soleimani, whom he describes as responsible for the killing of protesters. pic.twitter.com/mR833YHBRJ
– Al Jazeera Breaking News (@AJENews) March 18, 2026
Despite the psychological blow of losing its top leader, the Revolutionary Guard assured in its communiqué that the militia “will not cease fighting”.
However, international analysts suggest that the loss of Soleimani and Lariyani in the same night leaves the regime in unprecedented operational vulnerability, just when internal tensions in Iran are at their peak.
Filed under: Gholamreza Soleimani, Basij leader
