Israel Claims Killing of Iran’s Top Security Chief Ali Larijani and Basij Head Amid Escalating Regional Strikes

Israel has claimed responsibility for the killing of two top Iranian security leaders, including Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, and Gholamreza Soleimani, head of the Basij paramilitary force, in targeted strikes.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced that Larijani was “eliminated” on Monday night, describing it as a significant blow to Iran’s regime. “Larijani and the Basij commander were eliminated last night and joined the head of the annihilation program, Khamenei, and all the eliminated members of the axis of evil in the depths of hell,” Katz stated. He added that the prime minister and he had instructed the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to continue targeting Iran’s leadership.

An Israeli military official described Larijani as the “de facto leader of Iran” following the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, accusing him of directing attacks against Israel and Gulf Arab states. The official noted that the strike constitutes “a significant blow to the regime’s capabilities and a significant blow to their ability to operate their war machine against Israel and their own people.”

Details on the Targeted Iranian Leaders

Ali Larijani, aged 67, was one of Iran’s most powerful civilian officials and close to the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. He served as head of the National Security Council, emerging as a key figure in suppressing protests and shaping Iran’s war strategy. Larijani had a long history with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), including as a commander during the 1980s Iran-Iraq war. He held roles as head of state broadcaster, chief nuclear negotiator, and parliament speaker for 12 years until 2020. An Israeli source confirmed the strike targeted Larijani in Tehran on Monday night, with battle damage assessments ongoing.

Gholamreza Soleimani, appointed Basij chief by Khamenei in July 2019, led the paramilitary force known for enforcing internal security and suppressing dissent. The IDF stated his killing in a targeted strike on Monday was “an additional significant blow to the regime’s security command-and-control structures.” An Israeli source indicated other senior Basij leaders were also killed. Soleimani faced sanctions from the US, EU, UK, and others for his role in crackdowns, including 2019 protests and 2022 demonstrations after Mahsa Amini’s death.

The Basij, meaning “mobilization” in Farsi, is a volunteer militia under the IRGC with an estimated 450,000 members. It operates domestically like police, drawing from conservative backgrounds to uphold regime loyalty and Islamic morality. Historically, it conducted “human wave” attacks in the Iran-Iraq war and now focuses on quelling anti-government unrest.

Iran has not confirmed the deaths. State-affiliated Tasnim news agency posted a purported handwritten note from Larijani dated March 17, mourning killed navy members.

Escalating Strikes and Regional Attacks

Israel reported launching a “wide scale wave” of strikes on “regime infrastructure” in Tehran and Hezbollah targets in Beirut. Dozens of Israeli Air Force jets hit sites in Tehran, Shiraz, and Tabriz. IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir stated, “We recorded significant achievements in Iran last night.” Israel also began an “additional wave of strikes” on Hezbollah in Beirut after expanding ground operations in southern Lebanon.

A blast was heard near the US Embassy in Baghdad, with videos showing air defense engaging a projectile 600 meters from the compound. The embassy had been attacked previously on Saturday.

In the Gulf, Abu Dhabi suspended operations at the Shah natural gas field after a drone attack. A tanker reported being struck by an “unknown projectile” near a UAE oil port in Fujairah, the 21st such incident since the US-Israeli assault began on February 28. Iranian media reported an explosion on a ship in Sharjah port. Another vessel in the Gulf of Oman was hit near Fujairah. A Pakistani national died from debris of an intercepted ballistic missile in Abu Dhabi’s Baniyas area.

Energy Disruptions and Economic Fallout

Iranian drone attacks on UAE’s Shah gas field, an Emirati oil port, and an Iraqi oil field fueled global supply fears. Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned in a televised interview that “the Strait of Hormuz cannot be the same as before and return to its previous conditions,” stating “there is no longer any security.”

Oil prices surged, with Brent crude rising almost 3% to over $103 a barrel and WTI up 3% to $96 a barrel. US gas prices hit $3.79 per gallon, the highest since October 2023, up 7 cents Tuesday—the largest one-day jump since early in the Iran war.

NATO Stance and Strait of Hormuz Tensions

NATO allies declined to expand naval operations in the Strait of Hormuz despite US President Donald Trump’s warning of a “very bad” future for the alliance without support. Trump criticized allies for lacking assistance in securing the vital waterway, mostly blocked by Iran.

NATO, a defensive alliance formed in 1949, limits operations geographically under Article 6 to the North Atlantic area north of the Tropic of Cancer. Its core is Article 5 collective defense, invoked once after 9/11 for Afghanistan. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Trump’s request is “out of NATO’s area of action,” and a German spokesperson noted the war “has nothing to do with NATO.”

Iran’s Domestic Measures and Public Sentiment

Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence seized hundreds of Starlink terminals in a nationwide operation, calling their use a crime punishable severely during wartime. “This series of actions will continue until all satellite internet terminals that serve the enemy in any way are fully identified,” the ministry stated. Iran’s internet blackout entered day 18, but citizens use tools like Starlink—estimated at 50,000 terminals smuggled in—to bypass restrictions.

In Tehran, residents expressed war fatigue amid strikes. One hoped for a ceasefire “in a way that opens the doors of international relations with the whole world, creates diplomacy, and brings about a positive movement. It cannot be war all the time.” Another said, “No one likes war,” and a third wished “God willing, the new year will be a good year for the people of Iran, with some calm prevailing in the country.” Iranians were warned against Chaharshanbe Suri gatherings.

A large mural of new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei hangs in Tehran’s Palestine Square. A US Navy warship carrying thousands of Marines and sailors nears the Malacca Strait off Singapore.

Source: https://edition.cnn.com/world/live-news/iran-war-us-israel-trump-03-17-26