The government of Iran has confirmed that its Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, Ali Larijani, was killed in an attack carried out by Israel in Tehran on the night of March 16–17, 2026.
News of Larijani’s death was confirmed on his X account on the night of March 17, stating that he had joined other “martyrs,” including Ali Hosseini Ayatollah Khamenei, the former Supreme Leader of the country.
The message posted on the account read:
“Iranian people, Muslims, and all the free people of the world, the servant of God has met his Lord as a martyr.”
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced that, in retaliation for Larijani and the head of the Basij, Gholamreza Soleimani, who was also killed the same day, it had launched attacks on Israel.
Iran’s President, Massoud Pezeshkian, appointed Larijani as Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council in August 2025, a role he held alongside representing the Supreme Leader in the council.
From 2005 to 2007, Larijani led Iran’s nuclear negotiation team, and from 2008 to 2020, he served as Speaker of Parliament.
Since the war involving the United States, Israel, and Iran began on February 28, 2026—during which Khamenei was killed, Larijani had taken a leading role in confronting opposing sides, particularly through social media.
The Israeli military stated that following Khamenei’s death, Larijani had effectively been performing duties similar to those of Iran’s Supreme Leader.
