Iran's Supreme National Security Council announced on 17/3 that Ali Larijani had been martyred. "The pure soul of the martyrs has welcomed Ali Larijani, a righteous servant of God. After a lifetime of struggle for Iran's development and the Islamic Revolution, he finally achieved his long-cherished aspiration, answering the divine call and honorably receiving the grace of martyrdom", the council stated. The council added that Larijani's son and bodyguards were also killed in the Israeli airstrike.

Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani attended an event in Beirut, Lebanon in 9/2025. Photo: *AFP*

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had previously announced it carried out a nighttime airstrike targeting Larijani. The IDF also confirmed the killing of Gholamreza Soleimani, commander of Iran's Basij paramilitary force, along with his deputy and several senior members.

Immediately after the IDF's announcement, Larijani's social media accounts posted a handwritten letter expressing respect for Iranian sailors killed in a US submarine attack earlier this month.

The funeral for Larijani and Soleimani will take place on 18/3 in the center of the capital, Tehran.

Three anonymous sources told *Times of Israel* that the attack targeting Larijani was "one of the most significant assassination operations" since the conflict began. The Israeli military also declared it would eliminate Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei.

Ali Larijani was Iran's top national security official and one of the most influential figures in the country's leadership. He previously served as commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), then as Speaker of Parliament before becoming secretary of the National Security Council.

In the weeks before the outbreak of hostilities, Larijani managed the government's daily operations and participated in negotiations with Western powers. Israeli media suggested that Larijani's death would significantly impact Iran's strategic landscape.

Since the Hamas cross-border attacks into southern Israel on 7/10/2023, Tel Aviv has pursued a policy of targeting adversary leaders. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on 17/3 described these assassinations as "completely illegal".

Huyen Le (*According to AFP*)