Israel Claims Killing of Iran’s Top Security Chief Ali Larijani in Overnight Airstrike Amid Escalating 2026 Conflict, Fate Unconfirmed by Tehran
Israel claims that it has killed Iran’s top security official, Ali Larijani, in an airstrike, though Iran has not confirmed his death, and independent verification is still pending. The strike reportedly happened overnight between March 16 and 17, 2026, as part of a larger Israeli military campaign within Iran. Israel’s Defence Minister, Israel Katz, announced Larijani’s death, but other sources say it remains unclear whether he was killed or only injured. The attack took place somewhere within Iranian territory, though the exact location has not been disclosed. Ali Larijani was a highly influential figure, serving as the Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council and having previously acted as Iran’s nuclear negotiator. He was known as a close ally of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The U.S. had previously offered a reward of up to $10 million for information about him and other senior Iranian officials. This strike is part of a rapid esc...