On March 17-18, 2026, Iran confirmed that its top security official, Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani, was killed in an Israeli airstrike near Tehran
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Summary
On March 17-18, 2026, Iran confirmed that its top security official, Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani, was killed in an Israeli airstrike near Tehran. The attack also killed Basij militia commander Gholamreza Soleimani and, according to some reports, Larijani's son. In response, Iran's military vowed decisive retaliation, launching missile and drone strikes toward Tel Aviv and targeting Gulf states. Separately, on March 18, Iran executed a man, identified as Kurosh (or Kouroush) Keyvani, convicted of spying for Israel's Mossad by providing images of sensitive locations. These events mark a major escalation in the ongoing multi-week war between Iran and a U.S.-Israeli coalition, which began following earlier strikes and the reported death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
★ Why It Matters
The assassination of a top Iranian security architect and the execution of an alleged spy represent a significant intensification of the shadow and direct war between Iran and Israel, risking broader regional conflict and retaliation. It demonstrates Israel's capability to strike high-value targets deep within Iran and Iran's willingness to respond militarily, further destabilizing the Middle East.