Israeli strike kills top Iranian security leaders
Iran national security council secretary Ali Larijani killed in strike (photo: flickr.com)
The Israeli army carried out overnight strikes on Iran, killing senior security commanders. One of them was seen as a likely contender for the position of supreme leader, according to the Israeli military command and Times of Israel.
During the overnight strike, Basij commander Gholamreza Soleimani and Iran's national security council secretary Ali Larijani were killed.
They were staying in a tent camp, as Israeli and US forces had earlier destroyed most of the headquarters of these formations.
The deputy Basij commander and several other senior officials of paramilitary formations were also killed along with them.
"Under his (Soleimani – Ed.) command, the Basij unit organized major repressive operations in Iran, using brutal violence, mass arrests, and force against civilian protesters," the Israeli army said.
Gholamreza Soleimani, head of Iran's Basij formation, was killed (photo: Getty Images)
What is Basij
Basij is an Iranian paramilitary group known primarily for brutally suppressing anti-government protests inside the country. The organization is believed to be responsible for the deaths of many Iranian civilians.
Strike on Larijani and Palestinian Islamic Jihad
Separately, the Israeli army confirmed that on the night of March 17 in Tehran, Iranian official Ali Larijani was also targeted. Iran's defense minister, Israel Katz, said that Larijani was killed. He was considered one of the favorites for the position of Iran's supreme leader instead of Khamenei.
"Larijani and the Basij commander were eliminated overnight and joined the head ... axis of evil, in the depths of hell," Katz said.
In addition, the Israeli army struck the main leader of Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Akram al-Ajouri, and other leaders of the organization. The army believes that al-Ajouri was most likely also killed, but confirmation is still being obtained.
Iran's infrastructure was also hit
The Israeli army also said that command centers in Iran, weapons storage sites, and more were hit.
"In Tehran, dozens of munitions were dropped on command centers, as well as on storage sites for drones, ballistic missiles, and defense systems," the statement said.
The Israeli army also said that the headquarters of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy was destroyed. It was used by Iran's top command to plan its operations.
QG NAVAL DU CGRI DÉMANTELÉ
— Tsahal (@Tsahal_IDF) March 16, 2026
Lors d’une frappe précise la semaine dernière, l’Armée de l’Air israélienne a démantelé un Quartier Général utilisé par de hauts commandants navals pour gérer leurs opérations et mener des activités terroristes maritimes à l’échelle… pic.twitter.com/KN0Tk62q8w
Earlier, the media had circulated information about a possible elimination of Iran's supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei. However, he survived a strike on his father's house.
It later became known that he sustained serious injuries. US Defense Minister Pete Hegseth suggested that he was wounded and on the run. This is why he cannot appear in public.
The media also reported how Khamenei miraculously survived an attack on his bunker. What saved his life was that he went out into the garden just before the strike.
