Putin Mourns Death of Iranian Ally Ali Larijani Killed by Israel
Russian President Vladimir Putin has conveyed condolences to Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei regarding the death of Tehran’s security chief, Ali Larijani, in an Israeli attack earlier this week. Putin described Larijani as a true friend.
“Accept our deepest condolences over the death of the Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ali Larijani,” Putin stated in a message addressed to Khamenei, published by Iran’s official broadcaster IRIB, according to Russian news media, including the state news agency Tass, as reported by Anadolu on Thursday (19/3/2026).
Putin portrayed Larijani as a “true friend” of Russia, noting his contributions to developing the comprehensive strategic partnership between Moscow and Tehran and stating that “he will remain in our hearts.”
“Convey my sincere condolences and support to the family and friends of the deceased,” he added.
Israel’s military stated on Tuesday (16/3) that they had killed Larijani in an airstrike near Tehran, claiming he had been “eliminated” in what they described as a “targeted strike” on Monday (15/3) night.
In a subsequent statement that day, Iran’s Supreme National Security Council confirmed that Larijani was killed in the attack along with his son, his aide Reza Bayat, and several colleagues.
Earlier on Wednesday (18/3), Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said during a press conference in Moscow that Russia “strongly condemns actions aimed at endangering the health, or especially the murder and elimination, of sovereign Iranian leadership representatives.”
Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian had previously confirmed that Israel killed Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib in an attack. This marks the third assassination of high-ranking Iranian officials in two days.
Pezeshkian condemned the “cowardly murder of my dear colleagues,” stating that it “breaks our hearts.” In a post on X, he added that “their path will continue stronger than before.”