Iran War Day 17: Trump Doesn't Know If the Supreme Leader Is Alive
Iran War Day 17: Trump Doesn't Know If the Supreme Leader Is Alive
Iran's security chief was killed this morning. The allies aren't coming. And the president says a deal is close — with a government he can't locate.
Day 17 of the Iran war arrived with a flurry of developments that would be remarkable in any normal week — and would barely make the scroll in this one. Let's break down what actually happened today, and what it means.
🎯 Larijani Is Dead. Khamenei — Unknown.
Breaking — March 17Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced this morning that Ali Larijani — Iran's powerful national security chief — has been killed in an overnight strike on Tehran. The Israeli military also confirmed the death of Basij paramilitary force commander Gholamreza Soleimani in the same operation. Iran has not confirmed either death. Israel described the strikes as delivering "significant elimination achievements" that could affect the course of the campaign.
Meanwhile, Trump told reporters on Monday that the United States doesn't know whether Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is dead or alive. "We don't even know their leaders," he said. The same day, Trump said Iran was "ready to make a deal" — but that "the terms aren't good enough yet." He declined to say what the terms are, or who exactly the U.S. would be negotiating with.
"We don't even know their leaders."
— President Trump, on who the U.S. would negotiate with to end the war🌊 The Allies Aren't Coming
Global WatchTrump has been calling on allied nations to send warships to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The response has been, to put it diplomatically, tepid. The EU foreign ministers met and decided against expanding naval operations in the strait. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said plainly: "Nobody is ready to put their people in harm's way in the Strait of Hormuz."
Trump complained that countries like the United Kingdom — which he said had received U.S. security support for decades — were being "unenthusiastic." He said "numerous countries have told me they're on the way" without naming a single one. The UK confirmed it was not sending ships. The EU said the solution must be diplomatic, not military. The strait remains under "critical threat" according to the UK's maritime agency, with at least 20 vessels attacked since the war began.
One small sign of movement: a single non-Iranian oil tanker, the Karachi, transited the strait with its tracking system on — the first to do so since the war began. Marine Traffic described it as a possible sign that "select shipments may be receiving negotiated safe passage." One tanker. In 17 days.
📊 The War in Numbers — Day 17
Updated Today- Total deaths across Middle East 2,200+ (CNN tally)
- Iranian civilians killed 1,300+ (last UN update)
- Killed in Lebanon 886+ (111 children)
- U.S. troops killed 13
- U.S. troops injured ~200 across 7 countries
- Iranian missiles + drones fired ~700 missiles, ~3,600 drones
- Iran's internet blackout 408+ hours (18th day)
- Strait of Hormuz status Effectively closed
- Israel's planned strikes remaining "Thousands" over next 3 weeks
🤔 "Wrapped Up Soon" — Again
Hot TakesTrump said Monday the war will be "wrapped up soon." His administration officials said they expect it to end within "weeks or sooner." Israel told CNN it is planning to strike "thousands" of additional targets over the next three weeks, with potentially more to follow. Those two statements are describing the same war.
Iran's foreign minister, for his part, said Iran "has no hesitation in defending itself and is prepared to continue the war for as long and as far as necessary." The IRGC warned Monday that U.S.-linked industrial facilities across the region face imminent attack and called on the U.S. to evacuate personnel. Smoke continued rising over Tehran as of Tuesday morning.
There is one piece of genuinely new diplomatic movement: Trump confirmed Iran has signaled readiness for some kind of deal — but the terms, in his words, "aren't good enough yet." What the terms are, what "good enough" means, and who on the Iranian side would actually sign anything — all remain unanswered. What is clear is that after 17 days, over 2,200 dead, and the world's most important oil chokepoint shut down, the endgame is still not in sight.
Iran's security chief is dead. The Supreme Leader's status is unknown. The allies aren't sending ships. Trump says a deal is close — with a government he can't locate. Israel plans thousands more strikes. And the Strait of Hormuz remains closed for the 17th consecutive day. This war is not "pretty much" over. It is very much ongoing.
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