Key strategist’s death adds to instability, raising fears of wider regional escalationIranian parliament speaker Ali Larijani attends a news conference in Damascus, Syria February 16, 2020.PHOTO: REUTERSIranian state media has confirmed on Tuesday late the death of Ali Larijani, following earlier claims by Benjamin Netanyahu that Israel had killed the senior Iranian official in a targeted strike. The confirmation was further reinforced by activity on Larijani’s official X (formerly Twitter) account, which appeared to acknowledge developments surrounding his death. Iranian authorities acknowledged Larijani’s death through official media channels but did not immediately disclose operational details surrounding the incident. Shortly after Israel said it had killed him, Larijani's official social media profiles posted a handwritten note by him paying tribute to Iranian sailors killed in a US submarine attack this month. Larijani, 68, was considered a key pillar of Iran’s political and strategic establishment, maintaining close ties with the late Ali Khamenei.

Source: The Express Tribune March 18, 2026 02:12 UTC