How the IDF assassinated Iran’s ‘de-facto leader’ Ali Larijani

Iran's top security official was constantly moving to different secret locations throughout the last two weeks, sources said, taking precautions to avoid being located by Israel.

The Jerusalem Post
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How the IDF assassinated Iran’s ‘de-facto leader’ Ali Larijani

Iran's top security official was constantly moving to different secret locations throughout the last two weeks, sources said, taking precautions to avoid being located by Israel.

Iranian security chief Ali Larijani takes part in a pro-government rally in Tehran, Iran, March 13, 2026
Iranian security chief Ali Larijani takes part in a pro-government rally in Tehran, Iran, March 13, 2026
(photo credit: Ali Larijani via X/via REUTERS)
ByYONAH JEREMY BOB
MARCH 17, 2026 14:52
Updated: MARCH 17, 2026 17:36

Ali Larijani was Israel's number one target after assassinating Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on February 28, The Jerusalem Post has learned.

Massive intelligence and operational resources were poured into locating him, according to senior defense sources.

However, Larijani was not easy to locate. He is an experienced hand at avoiding detection and took a number of precautions to delay and avoid being located by Israel.

For one, he was constantly moving to different secret locations throughout the last two weeks, said defense sources.

The sources added that the extent of the precautions Larijani took to stay out of Israel's crosshairs for two weeks also shows how deeply hunted the surviving top Iranian leadership feels.

Ali Larijani (L) talks to supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (R), October 10, 2016.
Ali Larijani (L) talks to supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (R), October 10, 2016. (credit: KHAMENEI.IR)

IDF also assassinates Basij leader

This goes along with the national leader of the Basij, who was found and assassinated in makeshift tents in his attempt to avoid detection at an actual official Basij headquarters.

"Special capabilities" which tracked Larijani, along with a fast decision by IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir and the political echelon made the assassination possible.

Connecting the intelligence with the top decision-makers who then quickly ordered air force fighter jets out on a new critical mission 1,600 kilometers away paved the way for the operational success, defense sources stated.

The Chief of the General Staff, LTG Eyal Zamir, visits the Israeli Air Force’s Tel Nof Airbase. 10, March 2026.
The Chief of the General Staff, LTG Eyal Zamir, visits the Israeli Air Force’s Tel Nof Airbase. 10, March 2026. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON UNIT)

Once again, in the same evening, Larijani was killed, and top officials of the Basij were killed, at completely different locations, without missing a beat.

All this took place in distant Iran, which is far more challenging than carrying out snap decisions attacks in multiple places in Gaza or Lebanon which are only minutes away by aircraft.

Defense sources said that the assassination may also help the US with its current strategic situation for achieving various war goals.

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