Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, was killed in an airstrike on March 17, 2026, Iranian state media confirmed. The attack, widely attributed to Israel, removes a key architect of Iran’s strategic response following the February 28th killing of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Larijani, 67, had held the position of Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council since August 5, 2025, succeeding Ali Akbar Ahmadian. Prior to that, he served as the 5th Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly from May 28, 2008, to May 28, 2020, and held the post of Head of Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting from February 1994 to May 2004. His career within the Iranian government spanned decades, including a period as Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance from July 1992 to February 1994.
The BBC reported that Larijani was viewed as one of Iran’s most influential political figures, central to shaping the nation’s strategic decisions regarding its confrontation with the United States, and Israel. Following Khamenei’s death, Larijani signaled Iran’s preparedness for a protracted conflict, adopting a defiant tone, according to the BBC. His death follows a pattern of killings targeting senior Iranian officials and commanders in recent weeks, suggesting a deliberate effort to destabilize the country’s leadership during wartime.
FRONTLINE reported that Larijani was tasked with bolstering the Islamic Republic’s resilience in anticipation of potential war in the months leading up to the recent attacks. In a September 22, 2025, interview with FRONTLINE, Larijani discussed the toll of the 12-day war in 2025, stating that around 1,000 Iranians were killed. He was too responsible for Iran’s nuclear policy, having been appointed to the Supreme National Security Council following that earlier conflict.
Despite being described as a hardliner, sources within Iran characterized Larijani as a pragmatist, combining ideological commitment with a calculated, technocratic approach. He was involved in key diplomatic efforts, including Iran’s long-term cooperation agreement with China, but remained skeptical of engagement with Western powers.
Israel confirmed earlier on Tuesday that it had killed Larijani, though Iran’s confirmation was delayed by several hours, according to the Associated Press. Hossein Dehghan has been appointed as the novel Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, succeeding Larijani.
Leave a Reply