The Israeli military carried out an overnight strike that killed senior Iranian security official Ali Larijani, while Iranian state media confirmed that General Gholam Reza Soleimani was also killed while meeting with commanders of the Basij volunteer forces of the Revolutionary Guards, according to the Associated Press.
Both were reportedly involved in the harsh crackdown on protests in January.
Meanwhile, the Arab countries of the Persian Gulf experienced more missile and drone attacks from Iran targeting regional oil infrastructure, while Israel carried out new attacks on Iran and Lebanon. In Iraq, drones hit the US Embassy compound in Baghdad, causing a large fire witnessed by an Associated Press journalist.
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The ongoing US-Israel conflict has claimed at least 1,300 lives in Iran, over 900 in Lebanon and 12 in Israel, according to local officials. The US military reported 13 service members killed and about 200 wounded, the report said.
List of top Iranian officials killed in US-Iran airstrikes:
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei — Supreme Leader of Iran
The death of Ayatollah Khamenei, who held near-absolute power over Iran’s religious, political and military affairs, was announced on Saturday by US President Donald Trump, who called him “one of the worst people in history”.
(FILES) This handout photo provided by the official website of the Center for the Preservation and Publication of the Works of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on February 21, 2017 shows (left to right) Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Speaker of the Judaic Parliament, Judaic Larijani, Aliicijary. Larijani is participating in the sixth international conference in support of the Palestinian intifada (uprising) in Tehran. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said on March 17, 2026 that Iran’s powerful national security chief Ali Larijani was “eliminated last night” along with the commander of Tehran’s Basij paramilitary forces. (Photo: HO / KHAMENEI.IR / AFP)(AFP)Read also | Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is to be buried in Mashhad – why was this city chosen?
Iran later confirmed his death overnight, declared 40 days of mourning and began the transition process. Iranian media also reported that his daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter were killed in the airstrikes.
Ali Larijani – Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council
The Israeli military killed Iran’s top security official Ali Larijani in an overnight strike, and Iranian state media confirmed that the military also killed General Gholam Reza Soleimani when he met in a battle tent with commanders of the Basij volunteer units of the Revolutionary Guards. Both men were key to Iran’s violent crackdown on protests in January.
PHOTO: Iran’s top nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani attends a news conference in Tehran, Iran September 20, 2005. REUTERS/Raheb Homavandi/File Photo(REUTERS)Read also | Iran has confirmed the death of security chief Ali Larijani and Basij chief Soleimani
Iran’s army chief Amir Hatami on Wednesday threatened to launch a “decisive and regrettable” reprisal for the killing of security chief Ali Larijani in an Israeli airstrike, AFP reported.
“Iran’s response to the assassination of the secretary of the Supreme National Security Council will be decisive and regrettable,” Hatami said in a statement.
Ali Shamkhani – Senior Advisor to the Supreme Leader
Earlier on March 2, Iranian justice officials confirmed that Ali Shamkhani, a senior aide to the supreme leader, and General Mohammad Pakpour, who led the powerful Revolutionary Guards, were among those killed in the attacks.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Graphic content / TOPSHOT – The coffin of Ali Shamkhani, Iran’s slain influential security adviser, continues during a military procession for his funeral at the Imamzadeh Saleh shrine in Tajrish Square, northern Tehran on March 14, 2026. Iranian courts told the Supreme Leader, Ali Shamkhani, on March 1 that Ali Shamkhani was summoned by Khamenei and General Mohammad Pakpour, the head of the powerful of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, were among those killed in the February 28 attacks. (Photo: ATTA KENARE / AFP) / (AFP)
Sayyid Abdolrahim Mousavi — Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces.
Iran’s state television said the country’s chief of general staff and defense minister were killed in an airstrike targeting a meeting of the Defense Council on Sunday, March 1.
FILE PHOTO: Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Abdolrahim Mousavi attends a funeral ceremony for the late Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Commander-in-Chief Major General Hossein Salami, who was killed in Israeli airstrikes, in Tehran, Iran on July 4, 2025 via AsripgaWANA/Wid Asia News. REUTERS/File Photo EDITOR’S NOTE – THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY(via REUTERS)
According to the report, General Abdol Rahim Mousavi and Defense Minister General Aziz Nasirzadeh died in the attack, along with the head of Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guards and security adviser Ali Shamkhani, whose death was reported earlier in the day.
Mohammad Shirazi — Chief of the Supreme Leader’s Military Office
Mohammad Shirazi served as the head of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s military office from 1989 until his death, acting as a key link between Iran’s top military commanders and the Supreme Leader. In this role, he was central to coordinating military leadership and advising on defense matters, making him one of the most influential figures in the country’s security hierarchy.
Saleh Asadi – Director of Intelligence Directorate, Khatam-al Anbiya Central Headquarters
Saleh Asadi was an Iranian military intelligence officer who served as the head of the intelligence department at the Khatam-al-Anbiya Central Command, an emergency command structure within the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces. In this role, he oversaw intelligence operations related to national emergency and defense planning.
He was considered a high-ranking figure influencing Iran’s strategic stance toward Israel and the United States. He was killed on February 28, 2026, during joint Israeli-American airstrikes that targeted senior Iranian leadership in Tehran.
Hossein Jabal Amelian — SPND chairman/leader
Hossein Jabal Amelian served as head of the Organization for Defense Innovation and Research (SPND) and was involved in the development of advanced defense technologies, including programs in nuclear, biological and chemical research.
Reza Mozaffari-Nia – former chairman of the SPND
In a post on X, the Israeli Air Force shared: “IAF fighter jets precisely hit military targets across Iran and killed 7 senior officials of Iran’s defense leadership: Ali Shamkhani, Mohammad Pakpour, Saleh Asadi, Mohammad Shirazi, Aziz Nasirzadeh, Hossein Jabal Amelian, Reza Mozaff the world is better off without them.
Gholamreza Rezaian
Iranian media had previously reported that Gholamreza Rezaian, who headed the national police intelligence organization, had been killed in a series of US and Israeli airstrikes on Iranian soil. At the time of his death, he was serving as the commander of the Police Intelligence Organization of the Islamic Republic of Iran (SAFA), the unit responsible for domestic police intelligence work.
Aziz Nasirzadeh
Aziz Nasirzadeh served as Iran’s defense minister at the time of the strikes. Before that, he commanded the Iranian Air Force and served as the Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces.
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Nasirzadeh was allegedly involved in overseeing the production of long-range missiles and weapons systems supplied to Iran-backed groups in the region. He also oversaw the Defense Innovation and Research Organization (SPND), which is linked to Iran’s sensitive nuclear, biological and chemical research programs.
Mohammad Pakpour
Mohammad Pakpour served as commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), taking over in June 2025 after his predecessor was killed in Israeli airstrikes.
He was responsible for strengthening the operational readiness of the IRGC. Prior to that, Pakpour led the IRGC’s ground forces and earned a reputation as an experienced field commander during the Iran-Iraq War.
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Iran’s state television had earlier reported that among those killed was Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces Abdolrahim Musavi, along with other senior generals, including Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh.
In addition, the Iranian judiciary confirmed the death of the head of the Revolutionary Guards, General Mohammad Pakpour, and senior security adviser Ali Shamkhani in airstrikes. Pakpour took command of the Revolutionary Guards, the ideological arm of Iran’s military, in June during the 12-day war with Israel, in which the United States briefly joined.
(With input from agencies)
Key things
- The US-Israeli alliance has stepped up military action against Iran’s leadership, reflecting a significant shift in geopolitical dynamics.
- The elimination of Iran’s top officials could lead to increased instability and potential retaliation in the region.
- The strikes highlight the death toll of the ongoing conflict, with thousands of casualties reported in affected countries.
