MIDDLE EAST
Israel Claims Killing of Iran Security Chief as Trump Pressures Allies Over Strait of Hormuz
Israel says it killed Iran’s top security official Ali Larijani in airstrikes as the conflict with Iran intensifies and Donald Trump criticises allies for refusing to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
2 min read
By Aurax Radio — Updated March 17, 2026
Oil tankers transit the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy shipping routes.
Israel says Iran’s security chief killed in airstrike
Israel says it has killed Iran’s top security official, Ali Larijani, in a targeted airstrike, marking a major escalation in the ongoing war between Iran and an alliance led by Israel and the United States.
Israeli officials said Larijani, who served as secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, was killed along with Gholamreza Soleimani, commander of Iran’s Basij paramilitary force.
Iran has not officially confirmed the deaths, but if verified, Larijani would be among the most senior Iranian leaders killed in the conflict so far.
The war has already resulted in thousands of casualties across Iran, Israel and neighbouring countries, with missile and drone attacks continuing on both sides.
Smoke rises after reported Israeli strikes in Iran as the conflict escalates
Trump criticises allies over Hormuz mission
US President Donald Trump has sharply criticised some Western allies after they rejected requests to help secure shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
The strategic waterway — through which a significant share of the world’s oil passes — has been disrupted by the conflict, with Iran warning ships against using the route.
Several US partners declined to send naval forces to escort commercial vessels through the strait, with European officials warning that military intervention could worsen the crisis.
The refusal has frustrated the White House as it seeks to maintain global energy supplies and stabilise international markets.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important oil shipping chokepoints
Regional tensions intensify
The crisis is part of a broader escalation across the Middle East involving Iran, Israel, and U.S. forces. Military strikes, drone attacks, and missile launches have been reported across several areas of the region.
Iran has rejected claims that it is seeking negotiations and has warned it will respond to any further attacks. Meanwhile, clashes continue involving Iranian-backed groups in Lebanon.
Escalating strikes across the region
The war between Iran and Israel has intensified in recent weeks, with attacks spreading across multiple countries in the Middle East.
Israeli strikes have targeted military sites and senior Iranian figures, while Iran has retaliated with missiles and drones aimed at Israel and Gulf states.
Iran has also rejected international calls for de-escalation, with its leadership demanding concessions and reparations before negotiations can begin.
Meanwhile, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz continues to disrupt global energy supplies and push oil prices higher.
Oil tankers near the Strait of Hormuz amid fears of global energy disruption
Regional and global risks grow
Analysts warn that the escalating conflict could destabilise the wider Middle East and trigger economic shocks worldwide.
The Strait of Hormuz alone handles roughly one-fifth of global oil shipments, making any disruption a major threat to energy markets and global trade.
With both sides continuing to launch strikes and diplomatic efforts stalled, the conflict appears likely to intensify in the coming weeks.
Sources: Reuters, BBC News, AP News. The Guardian and Fox News