Iran issues Larijani ‘statement’ — a handwritten note for sailors’ funeral that does not disprove his death

After Iranian state media generated anticipation that Israel’s claims about Ali Larijani’s death in an airstrike would be contradicted by an upcoming statement by the senior Iranian official, the statement turns out to be a photo of a handwritten message from Larijani for the funeral of Iranian sailors killed in the US strike on the Iris Dena on March 4.

It does not disprove Israel’s assertion he was killed in an Israeli airstrike last night.

“The martyrdom of the brave members of the Navy of the Army of the Islamic Republic in Dena is part of the sacrifices of the proud nation that has emerged in this time of struggle against international oppressors,” Larijani wrote in what might have been his final missive. “Their memory will always remain in the heart of the Iranian nation, and these martyrdoms will strengthen the foundations of the Army of the Islamic Republic for years to come within the structure of the armed forces.”