Olamilekan Abayomi
Iran’s security chief, Ali Larijani, was reportedly killed in an Israeli airstrike on March 16, 2026, while visiting his daughter’s home in Tehran’s Pardis area. Larijani, who was the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, was a key figure in the country’s leadership and a close associate of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz confirmed Larijani’s death, stating that he was the “de facto leader of the Iranian regime” and had been eliminated along with Gholamreza Soleimani, the commander of the Basij paramilitary force. The Israeli military had been targeting Basij checkpoints in Tehran, aiming to undermine the government’s grip on power.
Larijani’s killing is seen as a significant blow to Iran’s leadership, coming less than three weeks after the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a US-Israeli strike. The new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has vowed to avenge Larijani’s death, warning that the perpetrators would “soon pay the price.
The airstrike that killed Larijani also claimed the lives of his son, a deputy, and several bodyguards. The attack has heightened tensions in the region, with Iran firing missiles and drones at Gulf Arab nations and Israel.
Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group, condemned the killing, calling it a “cowardly assassination”. Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan also criticized Israel, labeling the assassination as “truly illegal.
Larijani was a veteran politician with over four decades of experience, having served as speaker of Iran’s parliament, chief nuclear negotiator, and head of state broadcasting. He was sanctioned by the US in 2026 for his role in suppressing protests in Iran.
Iran has vowed a “decisive” retaliation for Larijani’s killing, with its army chief warning of a “regrettable” response. The situation remains volatile, with Israel vowing to target Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei .
