Basij Chief Monster Gholamreza Soleimani Reportedly Killed in Israeli Overnight Strike

Israel has reportedly killed Gholamreza Soleimani, commander of the Basij—the force at the center of Iran’s domestic repression—in a move that strikes directly at the regime’s grip on its own people. For years, the Basij has enforced control through intimidation and violence. Its leadership now hit, the question is whether this moment weakens that hold—and whether Iranians seize it.

The IDF has killed the IRGC general in command of the IRGC’s Basij militia, the unit responsible for murdering 40 000 anti-regime protesters in January.

Yesterday, the Israeli Air Force, acting on IDF intelligence, targeted and eliminated Gholamreza Soleimani, who operated as… pic.twitter.com/ACRc5ak3iU

— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) March 17, 2026

THIS IS HUGE

Israel just killed Gholamreza Soleimani, the commander of the Basij.

That’s the main Iranian regime agency responsible for domestic repression.

Israel is giving the Iranian people a chance to set themselves free. pic.twitter.com/BKa168DaUA

— Eylon Levy (@EylonALevy) March 17, 2026

And just like that, the world is a brighter place. https://t.co/s2xfL2xosA

— Pamela Geller (@PamelaGeller) March 17, 2026

War update:

Adm. Brad Cooper, Commander of Central Command provided an update on Monday: This past Friday, US forces executed a large sale precision strike on Kharg Island, destroying more than 90 Iranian military targets, including storage bunkers for naval mines and missiles and other military infrastructure. To date, our Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps aviators have collectively flown more than 6,000 combat flights, demonstrating the unmatched capability of America’s joint force as we maintain air superiority over Iranian skies. We continue to remain centered on our military objectives. These are well-defined and include eliminating Iran’s ballistic missiles, drones, and naval threats (Centcom).

From the president’s press briefing Monday: 7,000 targets STRUCK • 90% Reduction in ballistic missile launchers • 95% Reduction in drone attacks • 100 Iranian naval vessels destroyed • Kharg island operation = SUCCESS • 30 Mine-laying ships destroyed • China = HURTING (they get 90% oil from straight) (Townhall).

On Israel’s part, from the Foundation for Defense of Democracies: On March 13, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that it had carried out more than 7,600 strikes on Iran. “The IDF assesses that between 4,000 and 5,000 Iranian soldiers and commanders have been killed in Israeli strikes in Iran since the start of the war,” The Times of Israel reported the same day. Simultaneously, Iran has targeted Israel with ballistic missiles and drones, launching an estimated 290 missiles and 500 drones by March 15. On March 16, an Iranian barrage targeted the Jerusalem area, and debris from a missile fell on a home and injured two people. The Israeli Air Force (IAF) has continued daily strikes on Iran as Israel prepares for at least three more weeks of conflict (FDD).

Israeli officials say overnight strike also targeted Basij chief Gholamreza Soleimani

By Emanuel Fabian, Times of Israel, March 17, 2026:

The IDF confirms killing Basij paramilitary force commander Gholamreza Soleimani in a strike in Iran overnight.

Soleimani was targeted while at a tent camp that was recently established by the Basij. According to the IDF, the Basij set up the camp after the military struck many of the headquarters of the paramilitary force.

In addition, the strike also killed the deputy commander of the Basij and other top officials in the paramilitary force, the IDF says.

The Basij is known for its role in violently suppressing anti-regime protests, and is believed to be responsible for countless deaths of Iranian civilians.

The IDF also confirms that it targeted top Iranian official Ali Larijani in Tehran overnight, although it says that it is still looking into the results of the strike, and it remains unclear if he was killed.

Meanwhile, top Palestinian Islamic Jihad leader Akram al-Ajouri and other top officials in the terror group were targeted by the IDF in a strike on Wednesday, according to the military. The military believes al-Ajouri was likely killed in the strike, but says it is still working to confirm this.

More from today’s Liveblog:
Israeli officials say overnight strike also targeted Basij chief Gholamreza Soleimani
Israel targets top Iranian official Ali Larijani in overnight airstrike
IDF: Forces evacuate Israelis who entered Joseph’s Tomb in Nablus without authorization