TEHRAN — Israel said that Ali Larijani, head of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, was killed in overnight air strikes. Iran's Supreme National Security Council confirmed that Larijani was killed along with his son Morteza Larijani, Alireza Bayat, and several guards.

"Eliminated," said Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz. The Israeli military said it had killed General Gholam Reza Soleimani, commander of Iran's Basij paramilitary force.

Ali Larijani warned President Trump in a message that the Iranian people "do not fear your empty threats; even those greater than you have failed to erase them… so beware lest you be the ones who disappear."

Iran launched missile strikes on Tel Aviv in retaliation for the killing of Ali Larijani. At least two people were killed in the Tel Aviv strikes, bringing the death toll in Israel to at least 14.

The U.S. administration said the operation against Iran had killed 49 of the most senior Iranian regime leaders. More than 3,000 people have died in Iran since U.S.-Israeli air strikes began on February 28, according to rights group HRANA.

An Iranian drone and rocket attack targeted the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, and at least one drone crashed inside the embassy compound, according to security officials. A new Iranian drone strike hit the Fujairah oil complex in the United Arab Emirates, causing a fire but no injuries, according to local authorities.

On March 17, the Israeli military said it was targeting Iranian regime infrastructure in Tehran and sites it said were related to the Iran-backed Hezbollah group. The Israeli Defense Forces said that under Soleimani's command, the Basij paramilitary force led main repression operations employing severe violence, widespread arrests, and the use of force against civilian demonstrators during anti-government protests in January.

On March 17, the price of several types of oil increased by about 5 percent due to supply concerns. The Strait of Hormuz, which accounts for about one-fifth of global oil transport, remained largely closed off due to attacks on vessels. U.S. President Donald Trump called on nations around the globe to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz.