Israeli defence minister claims Iranian security chief killed

Israel has claimed that influential Iranian National Security Chief Ali Larijani has been killed, while the country's defence ministry has said that Tehran's Basij paramilitary force commander Gholamreza Soleimani has also died. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz announced this in a statement on Tuesday, March 17, according to Reuters and The Guardian.

A statement from Katz, cited by the Israeli defence ministry, said, "The Chief of Staff of the Israeli army has just informed me that Iran's Supreme National Security Council chief Larijani and Basij force commander Soleimani were killed last night."

This marks the 18th day of coordinated Israeli-US strikes against Iran. If confirmed, this would be the most significant development since the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Katz described the slain officials as key figures and stated they now "occupy the depths of hell alongside Khamenei."

A photo released by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office showed him on the phone with a caption stating he was "ordering the elimination of senior members of the Iranian regime."

Earlier, the Israeli military announced killing Soleimani in a "precision strike in Tehran," with military chief Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir claiming "several preventive achievements."

However, Tehran has not officially confirmed the deaths of either Larijani or Soleimani. Shortly after Israel's claims, a message was posted on Larijani's official X account commemorating Iranian navy martyrs, though this did not constitute a denial or confirmation of his status. Some Iranian media reports suggested Larijani may soon release a statement. The lack of official recognition has left the claims shrouded in uncertainty.