First Thing: Israel says Iran’s security chief Ali Larijani killed in airstrike

It would make Larijani the most senior Iranian figure to be killed in the war since Ali Khamenei. Plus, Oakland homicides down 48% from Covid peak Don’t already get First Thing in your inbox? Sign up here Israel says it killed Iran’s national security chief, Ali Larijani, in overnight strikes. If the claim is confirmed, it would make Larijani the most senior Iranian figure to die in the war since the supreme leader Ali Khamenei was killed on its first day. Israel’s defense minister, Israel Katz, said a separate strike killed the Basij paramilitary force commander, Gholamreza Soleimani, along with other senior Basij figures. Iran has not yet commented on either claim. On Monday European leaders rejected Donald Trump’s calls to send warships to the strait of Hormuz, despite the president’s threats about Nato’s future if members refused to help the US reopen the channel. European politicians have backed diplomatic efforts to reopen the strait, through which about a fifth of the world’s oil and gas flowed until Iran blocked it. Germany, Italy and France said they did not plan to send ships, while the UK said it would not be “drawn into the wider war”. Hundred of thous