Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, that Iran’s Supreme National Security Council secretary Ali Larijani was killed in a strike on Tehran the previous evening, though there has been no confirmation from Iran.

Earlier, the Israeli military said it had targeted Larijani in the strike but noted that his fate remained unclear as it continued to assess the results.

The military also claimed it killed Basij commander Gholam Reza Soleimani and his deputy in the same attack.

Iranian authorities have not confirmed the death of the Basij commander, while state media reported that Larijani is expected to deliver a speech soon.

If confirmed, Larijani would be the highest-ranking Iranian official killed since Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was assassinated on the first day of the war.