Iran has officially confirmed the death of Ali Larijani, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), following an Israeli airstrike near Tehran. The announcement, made early Wednesday, marks a major escalation in the ongoing Middle East conflict that began with the assassination of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on February 28, 2026.
In a solemn statement broadcast on state television, the SNSC declared:
"The pure souls of the martyrs embraced the purified soul of God's righteous servant, Martyr Dr. Ali Larijani."
The council praised Larijani as a lifelong revolutionary who "answered the divine call" and "achieved the sweet grace of martyrdom in the trench of service."
Details of the Strike and Casualties
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the targeted killing, stating that Larijani was eliminated in a "precise strike" near Tehran. According to Iranian state media, the attack occurred at his daughter’s home in the Pardis area, northeast of Tehran.
Killed alongside Larijani were:
- His son, Morteza Larijani
- His office head, Alireza Bayat
- Several bodyguards
Iran’s judiciary news agency and semi-official outlets like Fars and Mehr confirmed the deaths, describing the incident as a "cowardly act of aggression" by Israel and the United States.
Tehran’s Political and Military Response
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian offered condolences, calling Larijani’s death “bitter and upsetting,” and vowing to avenge his blood. He praised Larijani’s decades of service and reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to “defiance and resistance.”
The military response has already begun:
- The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched missile attacks on central Israel, targeting areas near Tel Aviv with Khorramshahr 4 and Qadr missiles, some reportedly carrying cluster warheads.
- At least two people were killed in Israel, according to early reports.
- Saudi Arabia intercepted a ballistic missile near Prince Sultan Air Base, which hosts US forces.
Iranian Army Chief Maj. Gen. Amir Hatami warned of a “decisive and regrettable” retaliation, while Maj. Gen. Ali Abdollahi of the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters threatened “more devastating” actions than the enemy could imagine.
Broader Leadership Decapitation Campaign
The strike also killed Gholamreza Soleimani, commander of the Basij paramilitary force, a key IRGC affiliate. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed both assassinations, calling them strategic blows to Iran’s leadership structure.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a televised address, described Larijani as “the boss of the Revolutionary Guards” and part of a “gang of gangsters” running Iran. He claimed the assassinations were weakening the regime and could create conditions for its eventual collapse.
Funerals and Regional Fallout
Funerals for Ali Larijani and Gholamreza Soleimani are scheduled for Wednesday morning in central Tehran. State media showed large crowds gathering, waving flags and chanting anti-Israel slogans, despite the ongoing air defense alerts.
The killings deepen the crisis at the heart of Iran’s leadership, coming just weeks after the death of Supreme Leader Khamenei. Analysts warn that the loss of Larijani—a veteran political operator and key link between Iran’s military and political wings—could further destabilize decision-making.
Meanwhile, Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan condemned the assassinations as “truly illegal,” reflecting growing international concern over the use of targeted killings in the conflict.