Iran's Top Security Official Ali Larijani Assassinated in Attack
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Tehran, March 18 (NationPress) The Supreme National Security Council of Iran has verified the death of its secretary, Ali Larijani, who was killed in a violent attack, as reported by the Tasnim news agency early Wednesday.
According to a statement from the council, Larijani lost his life early on Tuesday, alongside his son Morteza Larijani, who served as the deputy for security affairs within the council's secretariat Alireza Bayat, along with several others, Tasnim reported.
The council expressed appreciation for Larijani's extensive contributions to the progress of Iran and called for a spirit of national unity in light of external challenges, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
On the same day, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israel was responsible for Larijani's death amid ongoing military strikes targeting Iran.
Additionally, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps confirmed the passing of Gholamreza Soleimani, the leader of the Basij volunteer force, due to a US-Israeli airstrike.
These fatalities have occurred during a period of increased regional tension following the commencement of joint US-Israeli military actions against Iran starting February 28, which has prompted Iran and its allies to retaliate against both Israeli and US targets throughout the Middle East.
Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi has categorically denied any recent communication with Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff. Reports from Western media indicate that Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has dismissed proposals aimed at de-escalating tensions or negotiating a ceasefire with the United States.
The IRGC has also launched a new ballistic missile named "Haj Qasem" targeted at Israel, branding it a precision-guided weapon in honor of the fallen commander Qassem Soleimani, as per the Tasnim news agency.