Iran launched a series of attacks against Israel and U.S. Assets on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, in response to the killing of a top security official, escalating tensions in the Middle East. The strikes mark a significant retaliation for the death of Ali Larijani, head of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, and come amid a weeks-long conflict showing no signs of abating.
According to reports, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps stated that its missiles hit more than 100 military and security targets within Israel, framing the assault as “revenge” for Larijani’s death, along with his son Morteza Larijani and the head of his office, Alireza Bayat, as well as several guards. The Supreme National Security Council confirmed the deaths of Larijani and his associates, according to the Associated Press.
The attacks included a combined drone and missile assault on Tel Aviv and central Israel, with at least two people killed near Tel Aviv by an Iranian missile strike, Israeli emergency responders reported early Wednesday. Explosive drones were also reportedly launched at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, triggering sirens and an explosion near the diplomatic compound, CNBC reported.
Iran targeted Tel Aviv with missiles carrying cluster warheads, Reuters reported. Images show damage to buildings and vehicles in central Israel following the projectile strikes.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, in an interview with Al Jazeera, asserted that the deaths of key officials would not disrupt Iran’s government structure, stating, “The presence or absence of a single individual does not affect this structure.”
The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) has issued an evacuation order for residents of southern Lebanon who are south of the Zahrani river, about 40km from the border, following a wave of Israeli strikes on Lebanon overnight and into this morning, the BBC reported. The IDF stated that Hezbollah activities are forcing them to operate forcefully in the area.
The development underscores growing regional tensions and raises concerns about further escalation in the conflict. The attacks represent a direct response to a perceived provocation and signal Iran’s willingness to retaliate against actions targeting its leadership.
