A handwritten note has been published on the X account of Ali Larijani, the head of Iran’s Security Council, shortly after Israel claimed the top official had been killed in a military strike.
While the note has been widely circulated by Iranian state-backed media, it remains unclear if the handwriting belongs to Larijani or when exactly it was written.
According to reports citing Al Jazeera, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz claimed on Tuesday that Larijani was killed in an Israeli attack. However, the Iranian government has not yet issued an official comment on the matter.
The post on Larijani’s social media account featured a message commemorating Iranian sailors recently killed in a United States attack, whose funeral was scheduled for today.
به مناسبت مراسم تشییع سلحشوران نیروی دریایی ارتش جمهوری اسلامی ایران: یاد آنان همواره در قلب ملت ایران خواهد بود و این شهادتها بنیان ارتش جمهوری اسلامی را برای سالها در ساختار نیروهای مسلح استوار مینماید. ازخداوند متعال علو درجات برای این شهدای عزیز خواستارم. pic.twitter.com/dvTdhyDYbY
— Ali Larijani | علی لاریجانی (@alilarijani_ir) March 17, 2026
“The memory of the Islamic Republic of Iran Navy warriors will remain eternal in the hearts of the Iranian nation,” the note stated, adding that their martyrdom would serve as a foundation for the Islamic Republic Army and the armed forces for years to come.
Larijani was last seen in public on Friday during the annual Al-Quds Day rally in central Tehran, where he marched alongside other senior Iranian officials. The rally was notably hit by a bomb attack that day.
Speaking to state media during the event, Larijani described the bombing as a sign of “despair” among Iran’s enemies. “Such attacks are carried out due to fear and desperation. Those who are strong do not bomb rallies; it is clear that they have failed,” he remarked.
The official also directed sharp criticism toward US President Donald Trump, asserting that Trump does not understand the courage and determination of the Iranian people. Larijani warned that any further pressure applied by the US would only increase the resolve of the Iranian nation.
