Senior Iranian leader Ali Larijani, who headed Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, was killed in an airstrike near Tehran, Iranian authorities confirmed on Tuesday. He was killed along with his son, senior aides and bodyguards in what is being described as one of the most significant attacks on Iran’s leadership in the ongoing conflict.
According to officials, the strike took place in Pardis, a town northeast of Tehran, and hit the residence of his daughter. Alongside Larijani, those killed included his son Morteza Larijani, his deputy for security Alireza Bayat and several guards.
“In the early hours of the morning, he was martyred along with his son Morteza, Alireza Bayat and a number of bodyguards,” Iran’s Supreme National Security Council said in a statement, calling him a lifelong servant of the Islamic Republic.
Israel Confirms Targeted Killings
Israel acknowledged the strike, with Defence Minister Israel Katz saying Larijani was among senior figures “eliminated” in recent operations.
In a strong statement, Katz said the leaders had “joined Khamenei along with all those eliminated from the axis of evil in the depths of hell.”
The Israeli military also confirmed the killing of Gholamreza Soleimani, the head of Iran’s Basij paramilitary force, in the same wave of attacks.
Military spokesperson Brigadier General Effie Defrin indicated that operations against Iran’s leadership would continue. “We will track him down, find him, and neutralize him,” he said, referring to Mojtaba Khamenei.
Iran Vows Strong Retaliation
Iran has warned of a strong response following Larijani’s killing. Army chief Amir Hatami said the country’s retaliation would be “decisive and regrettable.”
The powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it had already launched missile attacks targeting central Israel “in revenge for the blood of martyr Dr Ali Larijani and his companions.”
The escalation comes amid continuing missile and drone exchanges between Iran and Israel, raising fears of a wider regional war. Iran has also tightened its grip over the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil route.
A Key Figure in Iran’s Power Structure
Ali Larijani was considered one of the most influential figures in Iran’s political and security system. Born in 1958 in Najaf, Iraq, he rose to prominence after the Islamic Revolution and became part of Iran’s core leadership.
He served as Iran’s parliament speaker from 2008 to 2020 and later headed the Supreme National Security Council, the country’s top decision making body on defence and foreign policy.
Larijani also played a crucial role in shaping Iran’s nuclear policy. As chief nuclear negotiator between 2005 and 2007, he strongly defended Iran’s uranium enrichment programme. He once compared Western demands to halt enrichment to “exchanging a pearl for a candy bar.”
Despite being seen by some as relatively pragmatic, he remained deeply aligned with Iran’s ruling system and maintained close ties with its leadership.
Rising Tensions and Leadership Vacuum
Larijani’s death marks a major blow to Iran’s leadership at a time when the country is already under pressure from ongoing military strikes. Analysts say his role as a bridge between diplomacy and internal power made him a key figure in Iran’s strategic planning.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the strikes are aimed at weakening Iran’s leadership to give its people “the opportunity to remove it.” However, there have been no visible signs of unrest inside Iran so far.
Just days before his death, Larijani had responded defiantly to threats from US President Donald Trump, saying, “The nation of Iran does not fear your threats. Even those bigger than you could not eliminate Iran.”
