Ali Larijani

The shift in public mood followed reports of the killing of senior Iranian officials, as many appeared to be celebrating what they see as the weakening of the regime’s enforcement forces.

In the wake of the devastation on the political and military echelons of the Islamic Republic, who are some of the most significant figures remaining in Iran?

Araghchi said Iran’s political system will stay intact despite reported assassinations of senior officials, saying “the presence or absence of a single individual does not affect this structure."

Netanyahu stated that Israel was undermining Iran's regime in order to allow the Iranian people to rise up and replace it, but cautioned that it would not be an easy process. 

Iran's top security official was constantly moving to different secret locations throughout the last two weeks, sources said, taking precautions to avoid being located by Israel.

Ali Larijani, a key behind-the-scenes figure in Iran, was killed in an IDF strike, leaving a major gap in the regime's leadership amid growing instability.

Larijani, the son of a Shia jurisprudence scholar, held several senior roles within the Islamic Republic during his career, most recently as the Supreme National Security Council Secretary.

The killing of Ali Larijani, who has been doing most of the work running the country for the wounded supreme leader, was a message to any still surviving Iranian leaders: you are out of time.

Basij commander Gholamreza Soleimani and deputy also killed in IDF strikes, officials say 'majority of the Basij leadership was eliminated overnight' • Netanyahu: Larijani was 'boss' of regime

IDF: Mojtaba Khamenei is not safe, we will hunt him down • IDF kills Iran's top official Larijani in targeted strike • Israel preps for large Hezbollah barrage