Israel claims senior Iranian figures, including Ali Larijani and Basij commander Gholamreza Soleimani, were targeted in strikes, but Tehran has not given any confirmation, adding to uncertainty in the escalating conflict.
Israel claims Iran’s security chief Ali Larijani killed in airstrike
Tel Aviv: Israel’s Defence Minister on Tuesday has said that Khamenei aide and Iran’s National Security Chief Ali Larijani was killed in an overnight airstrike.
Initial reports had said Larijani was targeted in the strike, but it was unclear whether he had been killed or injured. There has been no immediate confirmation from Iranian authorities.
According to Israeli officials, the strike was carried out in the heart of Tehran using precise intelligence inputs. The operation was reportedly aimed at eliminating key figures within Iran’s security establishment.
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In a separate statement, the Israeli Air Force claimed it had also killed Gholamreza Soleimani, who headed Iran’s Basij paramilitary force for several years.
חיל-האוויר בהכוונה מודיעינית מדויקת, תקף אתמול באופן ממוקד בלב טהרן וחיסל את ע׳לאם רצ׳א סלימאני, מפקד יחידת הבסיג׳ לאורך שש השנים האחרונות.
כוחות הבסיג׳ מהווים חלק מהכוחות החמושים של משטר הטרור האיראני, במסגרת המחאות הפנימיות באיראן, ובפרט בתקופה האחרונה עם התגברותן.
כוחות… pic.twitter.com/XHendSTf5u— Israeli Air Force (@IAFsite) March 17, 2026
According to Israel, the strike was conducted “under precise intelligence guidance” and targeted strategic military leadership in the heart of Tehran. However, as with Larijani, there has been no immediate independent confirmation from Iranian officials regarding Soleimani’s death.
Iran has notgiven any official confirmation regarding Larijani’s death or injury. Initial reports suggested he may have been the target, but details remain unverified.
The lack of clarity has added to the uncertainty surrounding the impact of the strike and the broader escalation between the two countries.
The development comes as the conflict between Iran and Israel enters its third week, with both sides continuing to exchange strikes.
Israeli forces have reportedly targeted multiple sites linked to Iran’s military and security infrastructure. In a separate operation, Israel also claimed to have eliminated Gholamreza Soleimani, a senior commander associated with the Basij forces.
Just a day before the reported strike, Larijani had issued a statement addressing Muslim nations, criticising what he described as a lack of support for Iran during the ongoing conflict.
He accused the United States and Israel of aggression and called for stronger backing from Islamic countries, while asserting that Iran would continue to resist external pressure.
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The intensifying conflict has raised concerns about wider instability in the region, with implications for global energy markets and economic conditions. Analysts warn that continued escalation could further disrupt oil supplies and fuel inflationary pressures worldwide.
With conflicting claims and no independent verification, the exact status of Ali Larijani remains uncertain. Observers say further clarity is likely to emerge in the coming days as both sides continue to issue updates amid the rapidly evolving situation.
