Israel has escalated its attacks on Iran, Lebanon, Gaza and th West Bank overnight after announcing Tuesday the assassination of Iran's defacto leader Ali Larijani, the Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council.

Several Israeli warplanes took to the air Tuesday to kill Larijani, while the Israeli military announced it was also planning to assassinate Iran's new Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei's son.

"This morning, we eliminated Ali Larijani. Ali Larijani is the boss of the Revolutionary Guards, that group of gangsters that effectively runs Iran. Alongside him, we also eliminated the commander of the Basij – they are the gangsters' assistants who are terrorizing the population in the streets of Tehran and other Iranian cities. We are operating there as well; operating from the air with Air Force jets and UAVs," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement Tuesday.

"We are undermining this regime in the hope of giving the Iranian people an opportunity to remove it. It will not happen all at once, and it will not happen easily. But if we persist, we will give them the chance to take their destiny into their own hands."

(Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seen giving order to 'eliminate' Ali Larijani, and the commander of the Basij. Photo courtsy of Prime Minister's Office.)

Israel's assassinations are being done in conjunction with the U.S. military, as Mr Netanyahu confirmed he was in constant touch with U.S. President Donald Trump as the two powers coordinate over their war aims.

"At the same time, we are helping our American friends in the Gulf. I spoke at length with President Trump on this matter yesterday. There is cooperation between our air forces and navies, between myself and President Trump and his staff. We will assist both through indirect attacks, which create immense pressure on the Iranian regime, and through direct actions. There are many more surprises. 'By stratagems, you shall make war.' We will not reveal all the stratagems here, but as I told you, there are many," the Israeli prime minister said..

"Now, regarding another matter: the most important thing for winning a war is determination: Determination, determination, determination. The determination of the leaders, the determination of the commanders, and the determination of the people. We are determined to win, and we will achieve these goals"".

"I ask you to simply ignore the 'channels of gloom.' We are achieving historical milestones. With G-d's help, we have reached a point where, after October 7, when we were on the brink of an abyss, we are now a formidable power, almost a global one, fighting shoulder-to-shoulder with our friend, the global superpower," Mr Netanyahu said. "This is already a massive achievement in the face of all the threats coming our way. What other country has these capabilities? They are all under attack. Who else has these strengths of ours – the alliances, the IDF, the Air Force, and a strong nation? So, stay strong."