Iranian state media has confirmed the assassination by Israel of senior official Ali Larijani.
State media announced the “funeral of Martyr Dr. Ali Larijani (Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council), his son, and companions — along with Martyr Major General Gholamreza Soleimani (Head of the Basij Mostazafin Organization of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) and his companions.”
They added: “This comes following their martyrdom at the hands of the arrogant U.S. regime (“the great devil”) and the terrorist Zionist entity.”
Larijani was one of the most influential figures in the modern history of the Islamic Republic of Iran, a man whose career spanned media, diplomacy, parliament, and ultimately the highest levels of national security leadership.
Born on June 3, 1958, in Najaf, Iraq, into a prominent clerical family, Larijani earned a doctorate in philosophy from the University of Tehran, cultivating a reputation as both a political strategist and a thinker.
His early career included serving as head of Iran’s state broadcasting system, where he played a key role in shaping official narratives during a formative period for the Islamic Republic.
Larijani later rose to become Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, where he served as the country’s chief nuclear negotiator during a time of intense international scrutiny.
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In 2008, he was elected Speaker of Parliament (Majlis), a role he held for twelve years. During this time, he was widely regarded as a pragmatic conservative capable of navigating between competing factions within the government.
In later years, particularly during the escalating regional conflict of 2025–2026, Larijani re-emerged as a key voice in Iran’s strategic direction. His rhetoric became increasingly direct and confrontational, especially in public statements and on social media, where he addressed both domestic audiences and international adversaries.
“Starting wars is easy; ending them cannot be done with just a few tweets,” he wrote in one widely circulated message, reflecting his view that military conflict could not be resolved through rhetoric alone.
In another statement, he warned: “We will not leave you until you admit your mistake and pay the price.”
On social media, Larijani continued to emphasise Iran’s willingness to respond militarily to attacks, stating: “When the enemy attacks us from bases in the region, we respond — and we will continue to respond.”
He also issued stark warnings about the potential for broader escalation in the region, writing: “The Strait of Hormuz will either be a strait of peace… or…,” leaving the consequences deliberately implied.
Even in his final public communications, Larijani maintained that Iran would not yield under pressure, framing the conflict as one that would ultimately be decided through endurance and strength rather than negotiation alone.
Meanwhile, an IDF spokesperson described him as: “one of the oldest and most prominent figures at the top of the pyramid of the Iranian terrorism regime,” adding that his killing is “a further blow” to Iran’s ability to coordinate hostile actions.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated: “This morning, we eliminated Ali Larijani… “We are undermining this regime… to give the Iranian people an opportunity to remove it.”
