Key strategist’s death adds to instability, raising fears of wider regional escalation
Iranian parliament speaker Ali Larijani attends a news conference in Damascus, Syria February 16, 2020.PHOTO: REUTERS
Iranian state media has confirmed on Tuesday late the death of Ali Larijani, following earlier claims by Benjamin Netanyahu that Israel had killed the senior Iranian official in a targeted strike. The confirmation was further reinforced by activity on Larijani’s official X (formerly Twitter) account, which appeared to acknowledge developments surrounding his death.
The confirmation came after reports of overnight explosions in Tehran, where blasts were heard across parts of the city. Iranian authorities acknowledged Larijani’s death through official media channels but did not immediately disclose operational details surrounding the incident.
Shortly after Israel said it had killed him, Larijani’s official social media profiles posted a handwritten note by him paying tribute to Iranian sailors killed in a US submarine attack this month.
Israel had earlier stated that it had “eliminated” Larijani, portraying him as a central figure in Iran’s power structure. Initial silence from Tehran had created uncertainty, which was later resolved with the formal confirmation broadcast by state outlets.
Larijani, 68, was considered a key pillar of Iran’s political and strategic establishment, maintaining close ties with the late Ali Khamenei. He has long been one of Iran’s most influential establishment figures, serving as a senior strategist within the country’s political and security framework rather than holding a single fixed executive office in recent years. A former Speaker of Parliament (2008-2020) and ex-head of the Supreme National Security Council, he played a central role in shaping Iran’s nuclear policy and regional diplomacy. Closely aligned with Khamenei, Larijani was widely regarded as a key power broker and adviser within the system, often acting as a bridge between political, military, and diplomatic institutions, particularly during periods of heightened conflict.
His role reportedly grew more influential in recent weeks following intensifying conflict and leadership shifts within the country.
The development follows the reported killing of Khamenei in late February during joint US-Israeli strikes, an event that significantly escalated tensions across the region and disrupted global markets.
In response, Iranian authorities have called for nationwide rallies, urging citizens to demonstrate unity. Meanwhile, Hakan Fidan criticised the targeting of political leaders, calling such actions violations of international norms.
The situation remains volatile, with concerns mounting over further regional escalation.
