Iran Confirms Death of Ali Larijani in Israeli Strike

Iran has confirmed reports of the death of a top security official, Ali Larijani, who was killed in an Israeli strike. According to Al Jazeera on Wednesday, 18 March 2026, Iran’s semi-official news agency Mehr reported that the Supreme National Security Council confirmed Larijani’s killing. Israel has claimed responsibility for Larijani’s death in a targeted operation.

“After a lifetime of struggling for Iran’s progress and the Islamic Revolution, he finally achieved his long-cherished desire, answered the call of truth, and proudly attained the honourable status of a martyr on the front lines of service,” the council said in a statement carried by Mehr.

Larijani, described as the right-hand man of Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, officially served as Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.

According to Al Jazeera, on Tuesday, 17 March, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz also claimed that Ali Larijani had been killed as a result of Israel’s latest strike.