Iranian authorities have confirmed the death of senior political figure and national security adviser Ali Larijani, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike, intensifying already volatile tensions in the Middle East. Iranian state media reported that Larijani, 67, died in the strike alongside his son, Morteza Larijani. Israel had earlier claimed responsibility for the attack, describing Larijani as a central figure in Iran’s wartime leadership. The killing comes amid a widening conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States, and represents one of the most significant blows to Iran’s political establishment in recent weeks.

Iranian military officials responded swiftly to the news, vowing retaliation against those responsible. Army chief Amir Hatami warned that Tehran would deliver what he described as a “decisive, deterrent, and regretful response” to both the United States and Israel. In statements reported by international media, Hatami said the deaths of Iranian leaders would not go unanswered and that those killed would be avenged. The warning underscores the heightened risk of further military escalation across the region following a series of strikes targeting key figures within Iran’s leadership.

Larijani had assumed increased importance within Iran’s political system after the killing of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in joint U.S. and Israeli strikes earlier in the conflict. Although he was not eligible to become the next supreme leader because he was not a Shiite cleric, Larijani was widely regarded as a senior adviser guiding the country’s leadership during the crisis. In recent months he had also been involved in diplomatic efforts related to Iran’s nuclear negotiations with the United States during the administration of Donald Trump, including meetings with regional mediators.

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According to analysts and diplomats, Larijani played a key coordinating role within Iran’s strategic decision-making structure. As a senior security official connected to the Supreme National Security Council of Iran, he helped bridge the gap between the country’s political leadership and its military establishment. Experts described him as a pragmatic figure capable of building alliances across different factions within Iran’s conservative political landscape. His death, they say, removes an experienced negotiator and policymaker at a time when the country is navigating both external conflict and internal political uncertainty.

Larijani had been a prominent figure in Iranian politics for decades. He served as Iran’s culture minister in the 1990s and later became speaker of parliament from 2008 to 2020. Earlier in his career he headed the country’s state broadcasting organisation and also served as secretary of the national security council, where he was deeply involved in nuclear negotiations with Western powers. Known for his intellectual background, Larijani also wrote several books on philosophy, including works examining the ideas of German philosopher Immanuel Kant.

Born in the Iraqi city of Najaf to an influential Iranian clerical family, Larijani was part of one of the country’s most prominent political dynasties. His brothers included Sadeq Amoli Larijani, a former head of Iran’s judiciary, and diplomat Mohammad Javad Larijani. Over the years he gained a reputation as a pragmatic conservative who often mediated between hardline and moderate factions within the Islamic Republic. His death, analysts say, could further complicate Iran’s leadership dynamics and intensify the ongoing confrontation with Israel and its allies.

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