This article was generated by artificial intelligence and reviewed by Le Pivot's editorial team. We believe in transparency.
Day 18: Larijani assassinated, Minab school massacre shocks the world
By Le Pivot — Iran Monitor · March 16, 2026 · 11 min read
Day eighteen of the war. Israel carried out the deadliest day for Iranian leadership since the conflict began, eliminating three senior officials in a single night. Meanwhile, Amnesty International confirmed US responsibility for the bombing of a primary school in Minab — a tragedy sparking global outrage.
Triple assassination at the top of the Iranian state
Overnight Israeli strikes decapitated part of Iran’s security apparatus:
- Ali Larijani, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council and close associate of the late Supreme Leader Khamenei, was killed along with his son Morteza and his security chief, Vahid Fateminia
- Esmaeil Khatib, Minister of Intelligence, was eliminated in a separate strike on Tehran, confirmed by Iranian state television
- Gholamreza Soleimani, commander of the Basij forces, also perished in the bombings
President Pezeshkian defended Iran’s right to self-defence, stating the country “did not start this war” and would not surrender to “bullies.”
The Minab massacre: 170 dead in a primary school
Amnesty International confirmed US responsibility for the attack on a primary school in Minab, in southern Iran, which killed at least 170 people — mostly schoolgirls. This toll makes Minab one of the deadliest single incidents since the conflict began.
In Arak, a three-day-old infant and his two-year-old sister were killed in a bombing that also claimed the lives of their mother and grandmother. The total human toll in Iran has now reached 1,444 dead and 18,551 wounded.
Massive strikes across Iranian territory
Large explosions were reported in northern Tehran near Saadabad Palace, as well as in Karaj, Shahriar, and Shiraz. The Israeli military detailed its targets: command centres, launch sites, and air defence systems. In Shiraz, the internal security forces’ command centre and a ballistic missile site were hit. Air defence systems were “dismantled” in Tabriz.
Europe refuses to engage
Trump demanded that the UK and France help secure the Strait of Hormuz. The European response was unequivocal: Germany declined any participation in the conflict, and the EU signalled there was “no appetite” for military deployment. Vice President Vance backed Trump despite his past scepticism of foreign interventions.
Trump also postponed his planned trip to China by one month due to the ongoing conflict.
11 waves of missiles on Israel
Iran retaliated with 11 waves of ballistic missile attacks against Israel throughout the day: 54.5% directed at Tel Aviv, 18.2% at the north, 18.2% at the south, and 9.1% at the Jerusalem area. Debris from intercepted missiles was found at the Al-Aqsa Mosque and Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
In Lebanon, over one million people are registered as displaced. The Lebanese death toll now exceeds 850.
Key takeaways
Day 18 will be remembered for the elimination of three key regime figures — a major strategic blow for Israel — but also for the Minab massacre, which could transform the international narrative of this conflict. Europe’s refusal to engage militarily further isolates Washington in this war. Brent remains above $106, and the fragmentation of Iranian command raises questions about Tehran’s ability to coordinate its response in the coming days.