'Unclear If Killed Or Injured': Israel Targets Late Iran Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei’s Key Aide Ali Larijani In Overnight Airstrike

New Delhi: Amid the rapidly intensifying war in the Middle East, Israeli ​media has said ‌on Tuesday (March 17) that ​the ​military has targeted ⁠Iran's ​security chief ​Ali Larijani in overnight airstrikes.

A report from the Times of Israel indicates that while the strike was carried out, Larijani's current status is unknown, and it has not been confirmed whether he was killed or wounded.

Meanwhile, Iran ⁠has not ​yet commented ​on ⁠the report.

IDF on attack

According to the report, Israel Defence Forces (IDF) has confirmed the details of the targeted attack. 

IDF’s Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said, “significant elimination achievements were recorded overnight, with the potential to impact the campaign’s achievements and the IDF’s missions”. 

It appears to be in reference to the strike targeting Larijani.

“This is in addition to eliminations carried out in recent days in Iran against external elements, also linked to the Palestinian arena,” Zamir said. 

In another strike, Israel is said to have targeted Palestinian Islamic leader Akram al-Ajouri, according to the report.
 

Larijani addressed the Muslim world

As the Iran war is on its 18th day today, these reports surfaced just 24 hours after Ali Larijani addressed the Muslim world, reaffirming Tehran’s "unwavering" commitment to its struggle against the United States and Israel. 

In his message, he criticized a perceived lack of unity among Islamic nations and insisted that Iran would not back down despite the ongoing military pressure.

Larijani expressed disappointment at what he perceived as a lack of support from Muslim-majority countries when Iran came under attack.

"Iran was subjected to a treacherous American-Zionist aggression that occurred during negotiations and whose aim was to dismantle Iran. This aggression led to the martyrdom of the great and self-sacrificing leader of the Islamic Revolution and a number of civilians and military commanders," he said on Monday.

9/11-Style Attack

Earlier this week, Ali Larijani had also alleged a conspiracy involving US lobbyists linked to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein.

In a post on X, Ali Larijani, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran, said, "I’ve heard that the remaining members of Epstein’s network have devised a conspiracy to create an incident similar to 9/11 and blame Iran for it."

"Iran fundamentally opposes such terrorist schemes and has no war with the American people," Ali Larijani added.

Who Is Ali Larijani? 

Born in Najaf, Iraq, in 1958 to a leading Iranian clerical family, veteran Iranian politician Ali Larijani re-emerged last year as one of the most powerful figures in the security hierarchy.

He has been managing a broad portfolio from nuclear negotiations to Tehran’s regional ties to its violent suppression of internal unrest.

Appointed in August as Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), Larijani has held senior jobs throughout a career marked by loyalty to Khamenei and a reputation for pragmatic relations with the system's often-rival factions.

In his early life, Larijani moved to Iran as a child and went on to earn a philosophy PhD.

Several of his brothers have also held senior establishment jobs including in the judiciary and foreign ministry.

One of Larijani's daughters was dismissed in January from a medical teaching position at the U.S. Emory University following protests by Iranian-American activists angered by his role in the suppression of that month's demonstrations.

His status as a trusted Khamenei strategist was underscored last month by a trip to mediator Oman to prepare for indirect nuclear talks with the US, as Washington built up its military forces in the Middle East to try to force concessions from Iran ahead of the strikes. 

Regional tensions deteriorating

Meanwhile, the regional situation is rapidly deteriorating as Iran has responded with massive missile salvos toward Israel and drone strikes on Gulf infrastructure, leading the UAE to fully close its airspace. 
 

Meanwhile, the global economy is reeling as the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively blocked to Western vessels, and humanitarian organizations report rising civilian casualties in Tehran, Arak, and southern Lebanon as the war enters its third week.