Senior Iranian official Dr. Ali Larijani released a handwritten message praising the "martyrdom" of Iranian Navy personnel from the warship Dena, framing their deaths as sacrifices in the struggle against "international oppressors."
On March 17, 2026, Dr. Ali Larijani, representing Iran's Supreme National Security Council, issued a handwritten note honoring the fallen personnel of the Islamic Republic of Iran Navy, specifically referencing casualties aboard the warship Dena. The tribute comes on the eve of the funeral ceremonies for the naval personnel.
According to the pro-state breaking news channel اخبارفوری خبرفوری جنگ امریکا فوری (Breaking News War America), Larijani framed the deaths as part of a larger national resistance. Larijani stated: "The martyrdom of the warriors of the Islamic Republic Army Navy on the Dena is part of the sacrifices of the zealous nation that has emerged in this time of struggle with international oppressors."
The identical text was circulated widely across state-aligned and political channels, including آخرین خبر (Akharin Khabar) and خبرفوری جنگ🚨اخبارفوری امریکا فوری, reflecting a unified state messaging apparatus emphasizing resistance. Larijani's note further declared that the sailors' "memory will always be in the heart of the Iranian nation, and these martyrdoms will solidify the foundation of the Islamic Republic Army in the structure of the armed forces for years."
The naval casualties aboard the Dena follow a severe military escalation that began on March 16, when Israeli forces and U.S. CENTCOM—acting under "Operation Epic Wrath"—launched massive, coordinated strikes against over 200 Iranian military installations, air defense systems, and targets at Kharg Island. Larijani's characterization of fighting "international oppressors" directly anchors the state's domestic grieving process to this ongoing, multi-front confrontation with U.S. and Israeli forces.
The source messages are identical copies of a single official statement. The translation faithfully preserves the ideological phrasing typical of Iranian state communications, such as 'martyrdom,' 'zealous nation,' and 'international oppressors,' which highlight the official state posture toward recent regional combat losses.