TEHRAN: Veteran Iranian politician Ali Larijani, a key figure in the Islamic Republic’s security and political establishment, has been killed in an Israeli strike, Iranian media reported on Tuesday.
Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz also confirmed the development, stating that Larijani was targeted in a military operation amid the ongoing conflict.
Key figure in Iran’s power structure
Larijani, 67, was considered one of the most influential figures in Iran and a close adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in an airstrike last month.
A member of a prominent clerical family, Larijani held several senior positions, including head of Iran’s state broadcaster and secretary of the Supreme National Security Council. He also served as speaker of parliament for 12 years.
Role in nuclear policy and diplomacy
He played a central role in shaping Iran’s nuclear policy and served as chief negotiator in talks with Western powers, defending Tehran’s right to uranium enrichment.
Larijani was also involved in managing Iran’s regional relations and addressing internal unrest, acting as a key political strategist within the system.
Career spanning decades
Born in the Iraqi city of Najaf in 1958, Larijani moved to Iran after the Islamic Revolution of 1979, which brought Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini to power.
He joined the Islamic Revolutionary Guards during the Iran-Iraq War and later transitioned into political and administrative roles, rising through the ranks of the Islamic Republic.
Influence amid shifting power dynamics
In recent years, Larijani remained a significant political player, though analysts noted a growing dominance of military institutions in Iran’s power structure following escalating regional tensions.
His death comes amid the ongoing conflict involving Israel and the United States, marking a major loss for Iran’s political leadership.