Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency reported that Larijani, 67, died in the strike, while Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz said earlier that he had been targeted and killed in an Israeli operation. There was no immediate independent confirmation of the circumstances of the attack.

Larijani, a prominent figure from a clerical family that rose to influence after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, held a series of senior roles across Iran’s political and security establishment.

A former commander in the Revolutionary Guard during the Iran-Iraq war, he later led the state broadcaster and served as secretary of the Supreme National Security Council.

He was also speaker of parliament for 12 years, consolidating his position as a key intermediary between Iran’s political factions and the office of the supreme leader.

As one of Khamenei’s trusted lieutenants, Larijani played a central role in shaping Iran’s nuclear strategy, which sought to advance atomic capabilities while avoiding direct confrontation with Western powers. He was a frequent interlocutor in negotiations, presenting Iran’s position in public and diplomatic settings.

His portfolio extended beyond nuclear policy to include managing regional alliances and overseeing internal security responses during periods of unrest.

Despite being viewed by some analysts as relatively pragmatic compared to other hardline figures, Larijani was accused by Western officials of involvement in the suppression of anti-government protests earlier this year. The crackdown, which resulted in thousands of deaths, led Washington to impose sanctions on him last month.

Following the launch of U.S.-Israeli strikes on Feb. 28, Larijani publicly accused Iran’s adversaries of attempting to destabilize and weaken the country, while warning against domestic dissent.

His death comes amid intensifying military exchanges that have targeted senior Iranian figures, raising questions about the resilience of Tehran’s leadership structure and the future direction of its security and nuclear policies.

The statement marks a further escalation in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, where both sides have intensified military operations targeting senior leadership figures.

Conflicting accounts emergeWhile Israeli officials declared Larijani dead, earlier reports citing Israeli sources indicated that his fate remained unclear following strikes that targeted him, leaving uncertainty over whether he had been killed or wounded.

Iran has not issued any official response confirming his death.Key figure in Iran’s power structureLarijani, a senior political and security figure, has played a central role in Iran’s leadership apparatus, particularly after the reported killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in earlier U.S.-Israeli strikes that reshaped the country’s command structure.

His removal, if confirmed, would represent one of the most significant blows to Iran’s leadership since the start of the current conflict.

The reported strike comes amid a wider Israeli campaign targeting Iran’s military and security elite. Israeli operations have also reportedly killed other senior figures, including commanders linked to the Basij militia, a key internal security force.

The targeting of high-ranking officials signals a strategy aimed at weakening Iran’s command-and-control capabilities as hostilities continue to expand across the region.

The developments underscore the widening scope of the conflict, which has already drawn in multiple regional actors and disrupted energy markets and security dynamics across the Middle East.

With no confirmation from Tehran and conflicting accounts still emerging, the situation remains fluid.

The government-approved measure will increase the monthly minimum wage from 103 million rials to 166 million rials, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported, citing Iran’s labor minister. The adjustment will take effect in the upcoming Persian calendar year, which begins in the coming days.

Iran revises its minimum wage annually to reflect inflationary pressures, which have surged amid tightening international sanctions and economic disruption linked to tensions with Israel and the United States. The Iranian rial has sharply depreciated in recent months, with the currency trading at around 1.47 million rials to the U.S. dollar, according to the monitoring website Bonbast.

The wage increase comes as households across the country grapple with rising living costs and a steep fall in the value of the national currency. Iranian authorities said the new wage level was approved by the government following consultations over compensation adjustments tied to inflation.

Tasnim also reported that the government would implement a comparable increase in child support benefits as part of the broader wage revision package.

The announcement follows months of anti-government protests that began in December last year, initially triggered by public frustration over the high cost of living and the weakening currency.

Demonstrations quickly expanded into a broader nationwide movement calling for the end of Iran’s clerical leadership, which has governed the country since the 1979 Islamic revolution.

Authorities responded with a crackdown that rights groups say resulted in thousands of deaths. During the unrest, U.S. President Donald Trump warned that Washington could intervene militarily while urging Iranians to challenge the country’s leadership.

The war, which has intensified over the past several weeks, has moved beyond traditional military confrontations and now threatens critical economic lifelines that sustain the global economy.

Attacks on oil infrastructure, commercial shipping routes, and strategic maritime corridors have begun to disrupt international trade and energy markets.
At the center of global concern is the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints.

Nearly a fifth of the global oil supply normally passes through the narrow waterway linking the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. Any disruption to shipping in this corridor can have immediate and far-reaching effects on energy prices and global economic stability.

Recent days have seen a sharp rise in attacks on merchant vessels and oil tankers moving through the region. Maritime security officials say explosive-laden boats and drones have targeted several ships, forcing many commercial vessels to alter their routes or suspend operations altogether. Shipping companies have grown increasingly cautious, and insurance costs for vessels operating in the Gulf have surged dramatically.

The disruptions have already had a significant impact on energy markets. Oil prices climbed sharply after reports that shipping through the Strait of Hormuz had slowed dramatically, with analysts warning that sustained interruptions could push prices far higher.
Governments around the world have begun preparing emergency measures to prevent a broader energy crisis.

Several major economies have discussed releasing oil from their strategic reserves in an attempt to stabilize markets and reassure investors. However, analysts caution that such measures would only provide temporary relief if the conflict continues to escalate.
The military dimension of the crisis is also intensifying. Israeli and American forces have carried out a series of airstrikes targeting Iranian military installations, missile sites, and logistical infrastructure.

The strikes, officials say, were aimed at degrading Iran’s military capabilities and preventing further attacks on regional allies and international shipping.
Iran has responded with a mix of conventional and asymmetric tactics.

Iranian forces and allied groups have launched missile and drone strikes against military positions and strategic infrastructure across the region. Some attacks have targeted energy facilities, including refineries and storage installations, further amplifying fears of a broader supply disruption.

The conflict has also raised concerns about the potential involvement of additional regional actors. Neighboring countries across the Middle East are closely monitoring the situation, wary that the fighting could spill across borders or provoke retaliatory actions that would widen the war.

Beyond the military and economic consequences, the conflict is already producing serious humanitarian impacts. Airstrikes and missile attacks have caused significant damage to urban infrastructure in several areas, forcing civilians to flee their homes in search of safety. Hospitals and emergency services are struggling to cope with the growing number of casualties.

International organizations have warned that continued escalation could produce a large-scale humanitarian crisis, particularly if critical infrastructure such as power plants, water systems, and hospitals becomes further damaged.

The war is also intensifying geopolitical tensions between major global powers. Governments in Europe and Asia are increasingly concerned about the impact of rising energy prices and potential supply shortages. Several countries have called for diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the conflict before it spreads further.
Despite these appeals, diplomatic progress has been limited.

Deep political divisions between the parties involved, combined with the strategic importance of the region, have made negotiations extremely difficult.
Analysts say the conflict reflects broader shifts in the Middle East’s geopolitical landscape. Long-standing rivalries, unresolved political disputes, and competing security interests have created a volatile environment where even small incidents can escalate rapidly into wider confrontations.

The economic implications extend far beyond the Middle East. Energy-importing nations are particularly vulnerable to prolonged disruptions in Gulf oil supplies. Higher fuel costs can quickly translate into rising inflation, increased transportation expenses, and higher prices for goods and services around the world.

Financial markets have already begun reacting to the uncertainty. Investors are closely watching developments in the region, and volatility in oil prices has spread to stock markets and currency exchanges.
Some economists warn that a prolonged conflict could contribute to a global economic slowdown, particularly if energy prices remain elevated for an extended period.

High oil prices have historically been associated with economic downturns, as they increase production costs and reduce consumer spending power.

The aviation and shipping industries are also facing growing challenges. Airlines have begun adjusting flight routes to avoid potential conflict zones, while shipping companies are reassessing the risks of operating in the Gulf region. These adjustments increase operating costs and could disrupt global supply chains.

Despite the mounting tensions, some analysts believe the conflict may eventually stabilize if both sides seek to avoid a full-scale regional war. However, they caution that the situation remains highly unpredictable.

Much will depend on whether diplomatic efforts can gain momentum and whether regional actors choose to exercise restraint. Even small miscalculations could trigger further escalation, potentially drawing additional countries into the conflict.

For now, the war between Iran, Israel, and the United States stands as one of the most serious geopolitical crises in recent years. Its outcome will not only shape the future of the Middle East but could also influence global economic stability for years to come.

Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke told parliament that two additional members of the delegation 21-year-old striker Mohaddeseh Zolfi and support staff member Zahra Soltan Moshkehkar accepted the government’s offer of assistance on Tuesday evening after five players from the squad were granted asylum a day earlier.

Burke said, however, that one of the two individuals who initially chose to remain in Australia later reconsidered after speaking with teammates who had already departed and decided to return to Iran.

He did not specify which of the two had changed their decision.“In Australia, people are able to change their mind, people are able to travel. And so, we respect the context in which she has made that decision,” Burke said.

Concerns over the players’ safety escalated after Iranian state television described the team as “wartime traitors” for declining to sing the national anthem during a women’s Asian Cup match held in Australia earlier this month.

The episode triggered a series of asylum requests among members of the delegation while they were in Australia for the tournament.

Burke said Australian authorities moved the remaining players who sought protection to a secure location after the individual who reversed her decision contacted the Iranian embassy, inadvertently revealing where they were staying.

Trump made the remarks while speaking to reporters during a press conference in Doral, Florida, where he was asked about Iran’s leadership transition after the death of the longtime cleric who had led the Islamic Republic for decades.

Trump said the appointment of Mojtaba Khamenei was unlikely to bring meaningful change to Iran’s political direction.

“We think it’s going to lead to just more of the same problem for the country,” Trump said, referring to ongoing tensions between Washington and Tehran.

His comments marked the first public reaction from the U.S. president since Iranian authorities confirmed Mojtaba Khamenei as the successor to his father.

During the exchange with reporters, Trump was asked whether the new Iranian leader might be considered a potential military target amid escalating hostilities in the region.

Trump declined to elaborate, saying it would be “inappropriate” to comment on whether Mojtaba Khamenei had a “target on his back.

”The remarks came as relations between the United States and Iran remain strained amid a widening regional conflict and heightened political tensions surrounding Iran’s leadership change.