DUBAI/JERUSALEM, March 17 (Reuters) - Iran’s security chief Ali Larijani was killed by Israel, the government confirmed on Tuesday, the most senior figure targeted since the U.S.-Israeli war’s first day, while a senior Iranian official said Iran’s new supreme leader rejected de-escalation offers conveyed by intermediary countries.
Larijani was widely viewed as one of Iran’s most powerful figures and a confidant of slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and his son and successor, Mojtaba. The security chief had a reputation for pragmatic relations with other factions in the ruling system and foreign diplomats.
His death was confirmed by Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, which Larijani led as secretary. Larijani’s son and his deputy, Alireza Bayat, were also killed in Israel’s attack on Monday night, the council said.
The targeted killings came more than three weeks into the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, which has quickly become a regional conflict that shows no signs of de-escalation.
U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly castigated allied countries in recent days for their cool response to his requests for military help to restore the passage of oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz.
