Iran confirms security chief Ali Larijani has been killed - recap

Iran has confirmed the death of security chief Ali Larijani hours after Israel announced he had been killed in an overnight strike.

The regime initially appeared to deny the report - by posting a handwritten note it claimed was written by the late official on his social media account.

Larijani, Iran’s feared national security chief, was thought by many to have been the de facto leader of the country and the architect of its terror.

Iran's confirmation of his death comes after it also announced the killing of Basij commander Gholamreza Soleiman.

Donald Trump lashed out at Sir Keir Starmer, Emmanuel Macron and the BBC in an extraordinary White House outburst - insisting the US no longer needed NATO allies to help the war in Iran.

Speaking alongside Irish premier Michael Martin, Trump repeated his claim Sir Keir is 'no Winston Churchill' and said the Prime Minister made a 'big mistake' in his response to US calls for support in the war with Iran, suggesting his effort to strike a UK trade deal 'probably wasn’t appreciated'.

Follow the latest updates on the US-Israel war with Iran

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21:13

Breaking:Iran confirms death of security chief Ali Larijani

Iran has confirmed the death of its security chief, Ali Larijani.

On Tuesday, Israel claimed its military assassinated Larijani in a secretive operation, effectively eliminating a pivotal figure at the heart of the regime who insiders had claimed was preparing to consolidate power amid the Middle East crisis.

Hours after the ayatollah was declared dead, he posted a chilling message on social media, swearing revenge.

But Iran has now admitted his passing - confirming he was killed in an overnight strike.

Watch live: Donald Trump meets Michael Martin at the White House

01:19

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01:13

Sir Keir gears up to face grilling from MPs after Trump criticism over Iran

Sir Keir Starmer now faces a grilling from MPs after Donald Trump hurled another Churchill insult at him.

The US President branded the prime minister 'disappointing' at his free-form press conference in the Oval Office yesterday.

He renewed his attack that Sir Keir is 'no Churchill' - pointing to a sculpture of Britain's wartime premier on the table behind him.

Sir Keir will take questions in the Commons today.

He insisted on Monday the UK will not be drawn into a 'wider war', and said he was working with partners including in Europe on a 'viable collective plan' to free up navigation in the region.

00:29

Two dead after Iran strikes residential building in Tel Aviv

Two people have died after Iran fired a missile towards central Israel.

A man and a woman were killed in Ramat Gan - amidst the regime's latest overnight barrage.

23:55

Bright white object flies through night sky in Jerusalem

Iran has launched a number missiles into Jerusalem and the West Bank, the IDF has said.

Images show a bright white object flying through the night sky.

Large missile fragments fell near the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, but did not cause any damage.

22:28

'We are watching from above': Netanyahu's message to Iranians

Israel's prime minister has published a new video to X - declaring he is 'watching from above' and that his country has 'knocked out two of the terrorist chieftains' in the space of 24 hours.

He said:

This is meant to enable the brave people of Iran to celebrate the Festival of Fire. So celebrate and Happy Nowruz. We're watching from above.

22:24

Iran's foreign minister urges 'more members' to resign after senior US official steps down

Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi has responded to the resignation of a senior US counterterrorism official - saying 'more members of the international community should follow suit'.

Joseph Kent, Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, said Iran posed no imminent threat and the war was started 'due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby.'

Mr Araghchi said in his response:

A rising number of voices - incl European and U.S. officials - exclaim that the war on Iran is unjust. More members of the international community should follow suit.

Wave of global repercussions has only begun and will hit all - regardless of wealth, faith, or race. Our foe is one.

21:59

Tribute is posted to Ali Larijani on X

A tribute has been posted on the X account of Ali Larijani - mourning his death and declaring he has 'joined his Lord as a martyr'.

The post reads:

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Dear and proud people of Iran! To the Muslim nations and the free people of the world: "A servant of God has returned to God."

Indeed, a servant of Allah has joined his Lord as a martyr.

21:03

WATCH: Flames and smoke rise from Tehran as Israeli strike appears to target individual

Smoke and flames were seen rising in Tehran in the aftermath of an Israeli strike.

The attack - filmed by an eyewitness - appeared to target an individual.

Find out more in the video below:

19:40

Breaking:Iran acknowledges death of commander Gholamreza Soleimani

Iran's IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) has acknowledged the death of Gholamreza Soleimani, the commander of the Basij militia.

The statement described the assassination as 'cowardly' and said it showed the 'importance and role of Basij' in their 'battle' against the US and Israel.

Earlier today, Israeli defense minister Israel Katz said security chief Ali Larijani and Gholamreza Soleimani, commander of Iran's Basij forces, had joined the late Ayatollah Khamenei in the 'depths of hell' after targeted overnight airstrikes.

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