Wednesday, March 18, 2026-Israel has announced that it has killed Ali Larijani, Iran’s top national security official, in an overnight airstrike targeting senior leaders in Tehran.
Larijani, who served as the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council and was widely regarded as one of the country’s most powerful strategic thinkers, was struck along with close associates and aides during the operation.
Iran’s government later confirmed Larijani’s death, marking one of the highest-profile assassinations since the outbreak of the U.S.–Israeli war with Iran.
The attack, attributed to Israeli military forces, also killed Gen. Gholamreza Soleimani, commander of the Basij paramilitary force.
Israeli officials said the strike was part of a broader campaign to dismantle Iran’s leadership structure and weaken its ability to direct military and security operations amid the ongoing conflict.
Larijani’s killing removes a key figure who had played a central role in Iran’s wartime strategy and diplomatic posture.
The assassination has drawn fierce responses from Tehran, with Iran’s leaders vowing retaliation and condemning the strike as a blatant act of aggression.
The escalation is likely to deepen regional tensions, with analysts warning that the loss of such a senior official could further inflame hostilities between Israel and Iran and complicate any prospects for de-escalation.
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