Iran: Larijani Killed in Attack

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi issued an official statement early on the 18th local time, mourning the death of the Secretary of the Supreme Security Council and former Speaker of Parliament, Ali Larijani, who was killed in a recent terrorist attack.

In his statement, Raisi highly praised Larijani’s outstanding contributions. He emphasized that Larijani’s passing is a “huge irreplaceable loss” for the Islamic Republic of Iran.

The Iranian Supreme National Security Council issued a statement early on the 18th confirming that Secretary Ali Larijani was killed in a airstrike, along with his son Murtaza Larijani and deputy Ali Reza Bayat.

△ Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Larijani (file photo)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on the 17th local time that Larijani had been killed. It is reported that the Israeli military launched an airstrike early that day in Tehran, Iran’s capital. It is claimed that after the assassination of Ali Khamenei, Israel tracked Larijani for several weeks.

Netanyahu also stated that Basij militia commander Qasem Soleimani had been killed. He added that recent military actions are weakening Iran and more “surprises” are expected.

Why is Larijani so important?

Born in Najaf, Iraq, in 1958, Larijani held important positions in the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, government departments, and the Iranian national broadcasting service after the 1979 Iranian Revolution.

Larijani participated in the 2005 Iranian presidential election. After losing, he was appointed Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, representing Khamenei in that body.

From 2005 to 2007, Larijani also served as Iran’s chief nuclear negotiator. From 2008 to 2020, he was elected and re-elected multiple times as Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly. He made significant contributions to the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.

After stepping down as speaker, Larijani frequently attended various events as a senior advisor to Iran’s Supreme Leader. In August 2025, he was again appointed Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council.

Larijani is considered an important figure among Iran’s moderate political circles. However, after the US and Israel launched joint attacks on Iran, his stance toward the US and Israel became more hardline. On March 16, Larijani also issued an open letter to Islamic countries, calling for support for Iran against the US and Israel.