A handwritten letter from Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, was released on his social media account on Tuesday amid Israeli claims that its forces had killed him in an airstrike.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Tuesday that Larijani was killed in an Israeli airstrike. The Israel Defense Forces confirmed that Larijani was the target of the attack.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said on social media on Tuesday that the Israeli leader had ordered the elimination of senior Iranian officials.
Iran has not confirmed whether Larijani was killed in an attack but the handwritten letter, posted on Larijani's social media account and on Iranian media channels, could be seen as an attempt to rebut Israel's claim of Larijani's death, according to analysts.
Expressing condolence to Iranian soldiers on naval frigate IRIS Dena, who were killed in a U.S. strike in early March, Larijani's letter said that their memory will always remain in the heart of the Iranian people and strengthen the foundations of Iran's military development for years to come.
Larijani is considered a key decision-maker in Iran following the death of Iran's then Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on Feb. 28.
Ali Larijani's handwritten letter released amid reports of his death
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Friday vowed to deepen bilateral ties and uphold multilateralism.
Carney voiced Canada's willingness to work with China to maintain close high-level exchanges, deepen cooperation in fields such as energy, finance, agriculture and fisheries, and keep consolidating the foundation of bilateral relations.
Canada supports China in hosting the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting, he said, adding that Ottawa is ready to work with Beijing to jointly champion and practice multilateralism, so as to make positive contributions to global economic development and world peace and stability.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said facts have proven that a better China-Canada relationship serves the interests of both countries, meets the expectations of all parties, and represents the right choice for Canada, emphasizing that there are no clashes of fundamental interests between the two nations and there is enormous room for cooperation.
Wang said that both sides should uphold multilateralism, the international rule of law, and strategic autonomy, while actively supporting free trade and an open world economy.
Canada, China vow to strengthen bilateral ties, uphold multilateralism
Canada, China vow to strengthen bilateral ties, uphold multilateralism
