Ali Larijani and son killed in Tehran airstrike, Iran confirms

In one of the most consequential strikes on Iran’s power structure, Ali Larijani, a central figure in the country’s security and nuclear policy was killed alongside his son in an airstrike near Tehran, Iranian authorities confirmed on March 17.

The strike, which hit his daughter’s home in Pardis northeast of Tehran in the early hours, also killed his son Morteza Larijani, senior aide Alireza Bayat, and several bodyguards, according to Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.

State-linked outlets, including the IRGC-affiliated Fars news agency, reported that the residence was directly targeted. The council described Larijani as a “lifelong servant of the Islamic Republic,” confirming he was “martyred” in the attack.

A direct hit on Iran’s top tier

Larijani’s killing marks one of the most direct blows to Iran’s senior leadership in the ongoing conflict, which has increasingly targeted high-ranking officials.

Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz said Larijani was among several senior figures “eliminated” in recent strikes. In a sharply worded statement, Katz claimed those targeted had “joined Khamenei… in the depths of hell.”

Israel also confirmed the killing of Gholamreza Soleimani, head of Iran’s Basij paramilitary force, in the same wave of attacks.

Israeli military spokesperson Brigadier General Effie Defrin signalled that the campaign is far from over, warning that Israel would pursue Iran’s emerging leadership.

“We will track him down, find him, and neutralize him,” Defrin said, referring to Mojtaba Khamenei.

Region on edge

The strike comes amid intensifying military exchanges across the region. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has sustained missile and drone operations, while Tehran has tightened control over the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil transit route.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the objective of the strikes is to weaken Iran’s leadership and “give the Iranian people the opportunity to remove it.” However, there are no visible signs of internal unrest as civilians continue to shelter from ongoing attacks.

Just days before his death, Larijani had issued a defiant warning to US President Donald Trump, dismissing threats against Iran and cautioning against escalation.

An insider at the heart of power

Larijani was widely regarded as one of the Islamic Republic’s most influential insiders, with a career spanning politics, defense, and diplomacy.

A member of one of Iran’s most prominent political families, he served as parliament speaker from 2008 to 2020 and previously headed the Supreme National Security Council — the country’s top decision-making body on defense and foreign policy.

His family’s influence ran deep, often likened to a political dynasty, with brothers holding key positions in the judiciary and foreign policy establishment.

Architect of nuclear strategy

As Iran’s chief nuclear negotiator between 2005 and 2007, Larijani played a pivotal role in shaping the country’s atomic policy and its engagement with the West.

He was a staunch defender of Iran’s right to enrich uranium, once dismissing Western proposals as “exchanging a pearl for a candy bar.” Even in recent months, he had indicated that diplomatic resolution remained possible.

Despite being seen as more pragmatic than some hardliners, he remained firmly aligned with Iran’s ruling establishment. The United States had sanctioned him over his alleged role in suppressing anti-government protests, accusing him of being “at the forefront of the repression.”

From revolution to power corridors

Born in 1958 in Najaf, Iraq, Larijani rose through the ranks after the Iranian Revolution. He joined the Revolutionary Guards during the Iran-Iraq War before transitioning into influential political roles.

He served as culture minister, tightening censorship, and later led Iran’s state broadcaster, shaping national messaging during critical periods.

Over decades, he built a reputation as a key power broker with deep ties across Iran’s political and military systems.

A widening vacuum

In recent years, Larijani’s influence had faced increasing competition from the Revolutionary Guards, particularly as conflict pushed Iran’s leadership further underground.

Yet he remained a central figure in strategic decision-making — and a likely pillar in any future power structure.

His killing, alongside his son, marks a significant escalation in the conflict — and removes one of the most enduring figures at the core of Iran’s leadership.