Ali Larijani, one of Iran’s most powerful figures, has been killed alongside his son and deputy, Alireza Bayat, in Israeli airstrikes, according to Iranian state media.
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council confirmed his death, describing it as martyrdom “on the front line” after a lifetime of dedication to the Islamic Republic.
This assassination marks the highest-level killing since the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei at the start of the conflict, representing a significant blow to Iran’s decision-making apparatus.
As the secretary of the council, Larijani was instrumental in shaping policy on war, diplomacy, and national security.
In response, Iran’s army chief, Amir Hatami, issued a stark warning: “Iran’s response… will be decisive and regrettable.” The assassination has already triggered retaliatory Iranian strikes, with missiles hitting Tel Aviv overnight and killing an elderly couple.
Tehran stated that the assault was carried out “in revenge for the blood of martyr Dr. Ali Larijani and his companions.”
Additionally, Iran has launched missile and drone attacks against Arab Gulf states, broadening the scope of the conflict and raising fears of a wider regional war.
Separately, Gholam Reza Soleimani, head of the Basij paramilitary force linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), was also killed in Israeli strikes. Israel characterised his death as a “significant blow” to Iran’s internal security command, while the IRGC vowed revenge and warned that pro-Iranian forces would continue their “path of resistance.”
Larijani had only recently appeared publicly at an anti-Israel Quds Day rally, where senior Iranian figures openly mocked Donald Trump and Israel. Initially, Iran denied reports of his death before later confirming it.
His killing indicates a dramatic escalation in targeted strikes on Iran’s leadership, increasing the risk of a sustained and intensifying cycle of retaliation across the Middle East.
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