Death of Ali Larijani Deepens Crisis in Iran’s Leadership
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Iran has confirmed the death of its national security chief Ali Larijani in an Israeli attack and warned of a “decisive” response.
Larijani is the second top Iranian official to be killed since attacks by the United States and Israel began, following the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Israeli media reported that the attack happened while Larijani was hiding with his sons.
Since August 2025, Larijani had served as the influential secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.
Within that council, he was seen as a representative of the recently deceased Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
With Larijani killed in the Israeli airstrike, the Islamic Republic faces the loss of some of its most experienced and influential policymakers at a highly sensitive moment.
Although not a military commander, Larijani played a central role in Iran’s strategic decision-making processes.
As secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, he was deeply involved in decisions regarding war, diplomacy, and national security.
His influence extended throughout Iran’s system, particularly in managing the confrontation with the US and Israel.
After the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on February 28, Larijani indicated that Iran was prepared for a prolonged conflict.
Despite his hardline stance against the West, Larijani was seen within Iran as a pragmatic leader, interpreting ideological issues from a strategic perspective rather than a dogmatic one.
Skeptical of cooperation with Western countries, he served as a key envoy in Iran’s diplomatic efforts, including a long-term agreement with China.
Manager of Three Crises
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At the time of his death, Larijani was managing three major crises.
The first was the ongoing war. He advocated for Iran to prepare for a prolonged conflict, support the expansion of tensions across the region, and to close the Strait of Hormuz.
The second crisis he handled was widespread internal unrest. Beginning with economic dissatisfaction, this escalated into mass protests calling for the downfall of the Islamic Republic, during which government repression led to thousands of deaths among demonstrators.
The third issue involved Iran’s nuclear program and stalled negotiations with Washington, both of which have been disrupted by the joint military assault.
None of these critical matters had been resolved at the time of Larijani’s death, and it remains unclear who will assume his responsibilities amid these sensitive circumstances.
Potential Leadership Crisis
Image source, Anadolu via Getty Images
Although Iran has shown resistance by obstructing the global energy market, its airspace remains vulnerable to ongoing attacks, placing other senior officials at immediate risk as well.
This event is expected to further strengthen the military’s power. President Masoud Pecheskian stated that should some senior leaders become incapacitated, the armed forces are prepared to lead independently and operate effectively. This implies reducing dependence on central coordination to enable quicker decision-making by the military.
Meanwhile, signs have emerged of internal struggles within Iran’s leadership over succession arrangements.
Iran has postponed publicly announcing a new Supreme Leader for the time being and has not disclosed details about figures including Mojtaba Khamenei. The reasons for this—whether security concerns or internal instability—remain unclear.
The current potential outcomes could lead to further instability, marked by harsh military posturing in the ongoing war, and increased internal repression.
However, as Iran continues to lose senior officials, the challenge of maintaining effective governance intensifies, creating greater difficulties for a nation of 90 million people.
In this context, Larijani’s death is more than the loss of a key official; it potentially deepens the leadership crisis affecting both the war effort and internal stability.
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