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Ali Larijani, a senior Iranian official often described by analysts as a de facto political leader after Ali Khamenei's death, claimed that U.S. soldiers have been kidnapped in neighboring countries amid escalating regional tensions.
Ali Larijani, who serves as secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said the kidnappings occurred outside Iran’s borders but did not provide evidence.
Larijani had earlier claimed that almost 500 US soldiers were killed by Iran without providing any further details on the case.
The Iranian official stated that Iran will punish US President Donald Trump for the killing of Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. His remark about punishing Trump personally is widely seen as a veiled assassination threat against the US president.
Larijani also said, "When the enemy attacks us from bases in the region, we respond — and we will continue to respond. This is our right and a standing policy. Regional countries must either prevent the US from using their territory against Iran, or we will have no choice but to do it ourselves."
The remarks came as the United States and Israel continue military operations against Iran and its allies across the region.
Regional tensions have escalated since the United States and Israel launched a large-scale attack on Iran on Feb. 28, killing more than 1,000 people, including Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, over 150 schoolgirls, and senior military officials.
Iran has retaliated with sweeping barrages of its own that have targeted US bases, diplomatic facilities, and military personnel across the region, as well as multiple Israeli cities.
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