Live: Israel strikes central Beirut as Iran attack leaves two dead near Tel Aviv

© Ilia Yefimovich, AFP
by FRANCE 24
March 18, 2026
3 min read

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Israel struck central Beirut and killed Iran's Supreme National Security Council head in response to Iranian attack.

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Israel conducted airstrikes targeting central Beirut and Iranian security infrastructure, killing Iran's Supreme National Security Council head Ali Larijani in an overnight operation. Iran's Supreme National Security Council confirmed Larijani's death late Tuesday after Israel announced the strike. The killing of a top Iranian security official marks an escalation in the regional conflict following Iran's earlier attack that left two people dead near Tel Aviv. The strikes represent a direct Israeli response to Iranian military action and signal a significant widening of hostilities between the two countries. The developments underscore the rapidly deteriorating security situation across the Middle East, with both Israel and Iran engaging in direct military operations.

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