Israel kills Iran security chief Ali Larijani as Iran launches retaliatory strikes

Israeli airstrikes killed Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council and the most senior Iranian official to die since Supreme Leader Khamenei's killing, on the night of March 16-17, 2026. His son Morteza and aide Alireza Bayat also died in the strike. Iran retaliated within 24 hours, launching missile barrages at Ramat Gan east of Tel Aviv — killing two Israeli civilians — and the IRGC claimed strikes on over 100 Israeli military and security targets. Al Jazeera reported Israel targeted Larijani specifically to torpedo ongoing U.S.-Iran diplomatic contacts.