Israel Says It Killed Iran Security Chief Ali Larijani in Overnight Strikes

If confirmed, Larijani would be the most senior Iranian figure killed since Supreme Leader Khamenei on the first day of the war

Zotpaper•Tuesday 17 March 2026 at 10:05 pm•3 min read•📰 9 sources

Israel's defence minister announced that Ali Larijani, Iran's national security chief and one of the regime's most powerful figures, was killed in overnight airstrikes along with commander Gholamreza Soleimani. Iran has not yet confirmed the claim, but if true it would represent the highest-profile assassination since Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed on the first day of the war.

Larijani was one of Khamenei's closest confidants and had emerged as the de facto face of the Iranian government in the chaos following the supreme leader's death. A veteran conservative who previously served as speaker of parliament and head of the judiciary, he was considered a linchpin of the regime's political and security establishment.

The strikes come as the war enters its third week with no sign of de-escalation. Oil prices have continued climbing, with Brent crude reaching $103.20 a barrel after Iran successfully attacked Gulf production facilities for the first time.

Multiple sources across the New York Times, Guardian, Financial Times, and NPR confirmed the Israeli claims, though all noted that Iran had not yet issued a statement. The targeted killing of such a senior figure could either accelerate negotiations or trigger a further escalation cycle.

Analysis

Why This Matters

Larijani's death, if confirmed, removes a pivotal figure at the centre of Iran's crisis management at the worst possible time. He was not just a security official but a political operator who held the fractured regime together.

Background

Since Khamenei's assassination on the war's first day, Iran's leadership structure has been in flux. Larijani filled a vacuum that no single figure was designed to fill, making his loss potentially destabilising beyond the military dimension.

Key Perspectives

Israel clearly views decapitation strikes as central to its strategy. The question is whether removing leadership accelerates collapse or hardens resistance. Historical precedent offers examples of both.

What to Watch

Iran's official response will be the key indicator. Watch for whether hardliners or pragmatists fill the vacuum, and whether this changes the calculus on Strait of Hormuz operations.

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