In Tehran, a significant crowd gathered on the morning of Wednesday, the 18th, to participate in the funeral procession honoring Ali Larijani, the Iranian security chief, and Gholamreza Soleimani, the commander of the Basij organization. Both individuals were killed in Israeli airstrikes, a manifestation of the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel. In addition to Larijani and Soleimani, those who perished recently in a U.S. torpedo attack on an Iranian naval vessel near Sri Lanka were also memorialized during the event.

Ali Larijani, who held a crucial role as the head of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, was regarded as one of the most powerful figures in the Iranian regime. His death in an Israeli air attack, reportedly targeting him and his son in a shelter apartment, underscores the significant risks and violent escalations associated with the ongoing conflict. The attack marks yet another instance of high-profile casualties within the Iranian leadership amid the intense warfare that has persisted since late February, alongside bombing raids supported by the United States.

The loss of Larijani and the resulting public outcry and mourning reflect a deep sense of grief and anger in Iran against Israel and its allies, particularly in light of sustained military aggression. His death raises questions about the future stability of the Iranian regime and signifies the potential for a further intensification of hostilities in the already volatile region, as Iran vows to respond decisively to these attacks.