Iran confirms security chief Larijani killed as Israel vows to ‘neutralise’ supreme leader

Iran confirms security chief Larijani killed as Israel vows to ‘neutralise’ supreme leaderTehran’s ‘right-hand man’ dies in air strike as Israeli military spokesman issues warning for Mojtaba Khamenei3-MIN READ3-MIN2 ListenPublished: 9:20am, 18 Mar 2026Updated: 10:44am, 18 Mar 2026Iran confirmed on Tuesday the death of its powerful national security chief, after Israel said he was killed in an air strike and vowed to hunt down and “neutralise” Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei.The death of Ali Larijani represents a major blow to Iran, whose long-serving leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed less than three weeks ago in US-Israeli strikes that ignited the war in the Middle East.The assassination came as Iran’s parliament speaker vowed that shipping in the Strait of Hormuz would not return to its pre-war norm, and US President Donald Trump blasted allies for rebuffing his call to help escort oil tankers through the blockaded waterway.Larijani, who was close to the late ayatollah, had helped lead Iran’s retaliatory campaign in the war.02:43Iran’s security chief killed in air strike, Israel saysIran’s security chief killed in air strike, Israel says“After a lifetime of struggle for the advancement of Iran and of the Islamic Revolution, he ultimately attained his long-held aspiration, answered the divine call, and honourably achieved the sweet grace of martyrdom in the trench of service,” Iran’s Supreme National Security Council announced.