Ali Larijani reportedly hit in Tehran attack; no official confirmation yet
March 17, 2026: Amid the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran, Israeli media reports claim that senior Iranian leader Ali Larijani was targeted in overnight airstrikes in Tehran. His condition remains unclear, with no official confirmation yet from Iranian authorities on whether he was injured or killed.
Larijani, a former nuclear negotiator and a key figure in Iran’s security establishment, is considered one of the most influential leaders in the country. If confirmed dead, he would be the highest-ranking Iranian casualty since the reported death of Ali Khamenei earlier in the conflict.
The Israel Defense Forces indicated the scale of the operation, with Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir referring to “significant elimination achievements” during the strikes. Israeli officials reportedly confirmed that Larijani was a primary target of the precision attack.
The strike is part of a broader Israeli offensive, with multiple air raids carried out across Iran targeting missile facilities, drone bases, and air defence systems. The operations are aimed at weakening Iran’s military capabilities while asserting aerial dominance, marking a sharp escalation in the ongoing conflict.