TEHRAN, March 17 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Tuesday confirmed the death of Gholamreza Soleimani, head of the Basij volunteer force, in a U.S.-Israeli strike.

The IRGC said in a statement that the senior commander was a veteran military figure who played an important role in major conflicts, including the Iran-Iraq War, and held prominent leadership positions in recent years.

The IRGC praised Soleimani's leadership of Basij as "strategic and irreplaceable," citing his work in mobilizing the public, driving development, and supporting underprivileged communities.

Soleimani's death underscores the critical role Basij plays in a broad confrontation with the United States, Israel and their allies, especially amid recent conflicts, the IRGC said, adding that it will continue its retaliation for the "martyrdom" of its leaders, commanders, and others.

Earlier in the day, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel killed Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, in ongoing strikes. Iran has not responded to Netanyahu's claim.

The development came amid heightened tensions following joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran starting Feb. 28, to which Iran and its regional proxies responded with attacks on Israeli and U.S. interests across the Middle East. ■