Israeli media claim Larijani targeted in strike; no Iranian confirmation

New Delhi, Mar 17: Israeli media have reported that senior Iranian figure Ali Larijani was attacked along with his son while in a hideout apartment, according to the BBC. Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz claimed that Larijani had been “eliminated” and said he and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had directed the military to “continue hunting down” Iran’s leadership.

However, there has been no official confirmation from Iran regarding Larijani’s death. Larijani, a former nuclear negotiator and a prominent political figure, was last seen publicly during Quds Day rallies in Tehran on March 13.

He had also posted strongly worded messages on social media in recent days, criticising US President Donald Trump and warning against threats to Iran, reports the BBC. Meanwhile, Iranian state media circulated a handwritten message attributed to Larijani praising naval personnel, reportedly issued on the day of funeral ceremonies for sailors killed earlier this month aboard the IRIS Dena warship.