Iran Confirms Death of Security Chief Ali Larijani in an Israeli Airstrike

Iran on Tuesday confirmed the death of its national security chief Ali Larijani, hours after Israel said it had killed him in an airstrike, with Iranian leaders vowing retaliation.

Iran’s Supreme National Security Council said Larijani died after “a lifetime of struggle for the advancement of Iran and of the Islamic Revolution,” adding he had “achieved the grace of martyrdom.”

President Masoud Pezeshkian described the loss as “bitter and upsetting” and said Iran would “avenge” his blood while continuing its current path.

Israel had earlier taken responsibility for the strike. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, “This morning we eliminated Ali Larijani,” adding that operations were aimed at weakening Iran’s leadership. “Now we are a mighty power, almost a global one, with the friend who is the global superpower, fighting shoulder to shoulder,” he added.

Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency reported that Larijani, 67, was killed in a U.S.-Israeli air attack in the eastern outskirts of Tehran on March 17.

Larijani was a senior figure in Iran’s political and security system, serving as parliament speaker for 12 years and previously heading the Supreme National Security Council. He was also involved in Iran’s nuclear negotiations and broader security policy.

Iranian authorities said Gholam Reza Soleimani, head of the Basij militia, was also killed. Soleimani led a paramilitary force linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and was associated with operations to control internal dissent.

Trump's Counter-terrorism Chief Quits over Iran War

Joe Kent, Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, resigned on Tuesday, citing opposition to the ongoing U.S. war with Iran and stating he could not support the conflict “in good conscience.”

In a public statement, Kent said Iran “posed no imminent threat” to the United States and alleged that Washington “started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby.” He described the conflict as unjustified and warned against repeating past military engagements in the Middle East.

Kent, who served under President Donald Trump and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, also referenced earlier U.S. actions, including the killing of Qasem Soleimani and operations against ISIS, arguing those decisions avoided prolonged wars.

In his resignation letter, Kent accused Israeli officials and segments of the U.S. media of promoting a “misinformation campaign” that influenced decision-making and pushed the U.S. toward conflict with Iran. He compared the situation to the lead-up to the Iraq War.

A combat veteran, Kent said his personal experiences and the loss of his wife in a previous war shaped his decision, adding that he could not support sending American troops into a conflict he believes does not serve U.S. interests.