Ali Larijani, the Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, has been confirmed dead following an airstrike attributed to Israeli and American forces. The announcement was made on March 17 by the Fars news agency, which is closely associated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
Larijani was reportedly killed alongside his son Mortaza, who served as Deputy for Security at the National Security Council, and Ali Reza Bayat, along with a group of bodyguards. The attack occurred while Larijani was at his daughter’s residence in the Pardis area.
Earlier that day, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that Larijani’s death resulted from an Israeli strike. This incident follows a series of military actions by Israel and the United States aimed at countering perceived threats from Iran.
On February 28, Israel conducted an attack on Tehran, which was followed by U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of a significant military operation against Iran. Trump accused the Iranian government of financing and training militant groups in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, and Palestine, asserting that the operation aimed to dismantle Iran’s missile industry and naval capabilities.
The IRGC has claimed responsibility for launching missiles and drones towards Israel and attacking U.S. military bases in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
In response to the escalating military actions, French President Emmanuel Macron has called for an urgent meeting of the United Nations Security Council. The European Union has reiterated its commitment to ensuring regional security and stability in the Middle East.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed support for the Iranian people, suggesting they should have the opportunity to rid themselves of a regime he described as terrorist, thereby ensuring safety for all nations affected by Iranian attacks.
On February 28, Trump had announced the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, a claim later confirmed by the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA). Following this, the IRGC declared the initiation of what it termed the most destructive offensive operation in the history of the Islamic Republic against Israel and U.S. bases.
On March 2, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that the next phase of military operations against Iran would be even more devastating. Trump emphasized the need for a complete change in Iran’s leadership, suggesting he had several candidates in mind for a potential new leader.
On March 8, Iran’s Assembly of Experts elected Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the slain Supreme Leader, as the third Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic. Trump declined to comment on this election, stating only, “We’ll see what happens.” He had previously noted that the new Iranian leader would not last long without the approval of the White House.
The death of Ali Larijani, a key Iranian official, marks a significant escalation in military tensions between Iran and the U.S.-Israel alliance. This incident follows a series of military operations aimed at countering Iranian influence in the region.