Israel ELIMINATES Larijani + Basij Command

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed today (March 17) that Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, and Gholamreza Soleimani, commander of the Basij paramilitary force, were eliminated in overnight airstrikes on Iran. Prime Minister Netanyahu personally ordered the strikes.

The IDF confirmed Soleimani was hit at a tent camp recently set up by the Basij after prior strikes destroyed their headquarters. The Basij deputy commander and several other senior officials were also eliminated in the same wave. An Israeli official told the Jerusalem Post that the majority of Basij leadership was taken out overnight.

Israel also targeted Akram al-Ajouri, the #2 in Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), in Iran in recent days. Security sources confirmed to i24NEWS that senior PIJ figures were targeted, and the IDF chief of staff indicated there were successful eliminations. Assessment for al-Ajouri is still ongoing.

The Mossad's Persian-language account posted a single line after the strikes: "Ruthless humans will eventually die."

"I was just updated by the Chief of Staff that Larijani and the Basij chief, Soleimani, were eliminated last night. They have joined Khamenei."

— Defense Minister Katz

"A turning point is near. Iranians will be urged into the streets under the cover of aerial support."

— Former IDF General Amir Avivi

Khamenei: "Not the Right Time for Peace"

Iran's new Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei told senior officials that peace with the U.S. and Israel is off the table, a senior Iranian official told Reuters today (March 17). The U.S. and Israel must first be defeated, he said.

Iran's Foreign Minister Araghchi reinforced the message publicly: "We want to teach them a lesson so hard that the enemies never even think of attacking Iran again." A senior Iranian official separately confirmed Khamenei has refused all proposals for lowering tensions.

U.S. Embassy Hit as Iraq Becomes a Major Battleground

Iran-backed militias launched sustained drone attacks on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad overnight. At least one drone struck the compound. C-RAM (Counter-Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar) systems engaged targets throughout the night, with multiple videos showing explosions and intercepts over Baghdad. PMF (Popular Mobilization Forces) positions in northern Baghdad were also targeted.

The U.S. is responding with a steady campaign. CENTCOM confirmed ongoing operations to "hunt and destroy Iranian targets that pose threats to Americans and Iran's neighbors." Multiple Iran-backed militia commanders have been eliminated in recent strikes. The U.S. military is hunting down Islamic regime electronic radars and military equipment across the region.

A U.S. Air Force B-52H left the UK loaded with AGM-158 JASSM cruise missiles, heading toward strike operations against Iran.

Iranian Missile Output in Freefall

Iran's daily missile launches toward Israel have dropped from an estimated ~80 on February 28 to roughly ~10 per day as of March 14. That's nearly a 90% decline from peak volume. Israel and the U.S. are systematically destroying launch infrastructure, but Iran is also running out of cheaper ballistic missiles. They're increasingly resorting to more expensive types like the Sejil, which costs millions per unit but has roughly 5x less accuracy than their other models.

Israel's Health Ministry reported at least 3,369 people have been injured in missile and drone attacks attributed to Iran since late February. Today alone, the IDF detected 4 missile launches since midnight, with sirens in central and northern Israel. Most landed in open areas or were intercepted.

"They're only now waking up to what's been done to them and how badly they miscalculated us. Their command structure is shattered, their capabilities stripped down to the bone. What you're seeing launched now is the last of what they've got."

— Head of IDF Intelligence

~90%

Launch Decline

3,369

Injured in Israel

~10/day

Current Launches

Israel Expands Operations, Destroys Massive Weapons Cache

The IDF's 36th Division joined focused ground operations in southern Lebanon today, working alongside the 91st Division to expand the forward defense zone. IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir confirmed cooperation between the IDF and CENTCOM continues to strengthen, with joint actions contributing to operational gains.

The IAF struck an underground Hezbollah weapons facility in the village of Kafra in southern Lebanon yesterday. The site held cruise missiles and hundreds of rockets. Strikes also hit Dahiya in Beirut and targets in Arab al-Aramsheh.

A senior Hezbollah figure who served as bodyguard to Safieddine, the former head of Hezbollah's Executive Council, was also eliminated in an Israeli airstrike.

Trump Tests Allies as Iran's Internal Pressure Mounts

President Trump is assessing which countries will support U.S. operations as the conflict expands. He publicly graded France's Macron at "8 out of 10. Not perfect. But it's France. We don't expect perfect." Several European NATO members are declining to assist or deploy naval assets to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Gulf states are pressing the U.S. to go beyond limited strikes and fully neutralize Iran's ability to threaten critical oil routes and regional economies, Reuters reported. U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham urged joint public diplomacy with Israel: "If you don't believe Iran with a nuclear weapon would eventually be your war, you have missed a lot."

Secretary of State Rubio urged coordination with Israeli diplomats and called on foreign governments to act swiftly to reduce the ability of Iran and its affiliated groups to threaten the region.

Former IDF General: Iranians Will Take to the Streets

Former IDF General Avivi said a turning point is approaching. Within weeks, Iranian civilians could be encouraged to take to the streets under the cover of aerial support, targeting Basij forces. The Basij, Iran's central repression force, just lost its commander, deputy commander, and the majority of its leadership in overnight Israeli strikes.

Israel's official Persian-language account addressed the Iranian people directly today: "Every moment, you are getting one step closer to freedom. The moment when you can take your destiny into your own hands."

Israel's overnight strikes decapitated senior Iranian leadership while Tehran's missile output continues to collapse. Iran's new supreme leader is doubling down on war, but the IDF's assessment is clear: the command structure is broken and the arsenal is running dry. Iraq is now an active front, with the U.S. embassy under direct fire and CENTCOM hunting militia commanders in real time. The next phase may come from inside Iran itself.

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