The Supreme National Security Council of Iran issued a statement on the 18th, confirming that the Council's Secretary, Larijani, was killed in an airstrike.
The statement said that Larijani was martyred early in the morning of the 17th. His son Morteza, Deputy for Security Affairs at the Secretariat of the Supreme National Security Council Bayat, and several entourage members were also killed.
The statement pointed out that Larijani had always been committed to advancing Iran's development in his lifetime, and called for unity within the country in facing external hostile forces.
The statement emphasized that this incident would further strengthen Iranian society's determination to remain on the "path of resistance."
An Israeli Defense Forces statement issued on the 17th indicated that the IDF had carried out an airstrike near the Iranian capital Tehran the night before, assassinating Larijani.
For many years, Larijani had been regarded as one of the most senior members of Iran's leadership, and was a close ally of the late Supreme Spiritual Leader Khamenei. After Khamenei's death on February 28th in an American and Israeli airstrike, Larijani led operations against Israel and the US. Larijani was the "de facto leader" of Iran.
Pledge to Avenge Larijani
On the 18th, Iranian President Pezeshkian issued a statement mourning the death of Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council and former Speaker of Parliament Larijani, pledging revenge.
He highly praised Larijani's contributions during his tenure.
He stated that, as Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, Larijani made every effort to promote regional peace and security as well as strengthen friendly relations among Islamic countries. His passing is an enormous and irreparable loss, and the perpetrators will certainly be severely punished.
However, Pezeshkian emphasized that Iran will continue to follow a path of resistance that combines rationality and foresight.