Jerusalem, March 17, 2026 — Israeli media are reporting that Ali Larijani, Iran’s influential security chief, was attacked and killed alongside his son in a hideout apartment during overnight Israeli strikes.
Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz announced that Larijani had been “eliminated,” adding that he and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had instructed the military to “continue hunting down” Iran’s leadership. Katz praised Israeli air force pilots and intelligence officials for their role in the operation.
Larijani, who was seen in public just last Friday at Quds Day rallies, was a close ally of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, killed on the first day of the war. He previously served as Iran’s chief nuclear negotiator and was speaker of parliament from 2008 to 2020. In August 2025, President Masoud Pezeshkian appointed him secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC).
Despite Israel’s claims, Iran has not confirmed Larijani’s death. His brother, Sadegh Larijani, remains a powerful figure, chairing the Expediency Council, which arbitrates disputes between parliament and the Guardian Council.
Escalating Conflict
The reported assassination comes amid a fresh wave of missile attacks. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said Iran launched multiple missiles toward Israel early Tuesday, with defensive systems working to intercept them. Iranian state media simultaneously reported strikes against what it called “occupied territories.”
Katz also claimed that Israeli forces killed Gholamreza Soleimani, commander of the Basij paramilitary force, in the same operation. He suggested the assassinations were part of a broader campaign to destabilize Iran’s leadership, noting that “the high rate of turnover continues and is even increasing.”
Who Was Ali Larijani?
- Political Career: Speaker of Iran’s parliament (2008–2020)
- Negotiator: Chief nuclear negotiator (2005–2007)
- Recent Role: Secretary of the SNSC since 2025
- Political Stance: Once a Principlist faction leader, later described as a “moderate conservative”
- Family Influence: Brother Sadegh Larijani chairs the Expediency Council
Outlook
If confirmed, Larijani’s death would represent one of the most significant blows to Iran’s political and security establishment since the war began. Analysts warn that Tehran may retaliate with further missile strikes or asymmetric operations across the region, raising fears of a widening conflict.
