PARIS: As Israel and the U.S. intensified strikes across the Middle East, Iran’s national security chief Ali Larijani emerged as a central figure in the country’s leadership.
Larijani, who had been appointed head of the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) in 2025, played a visible role in public events-walking among crowds at a pro-government rally in Tehran-while the new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, remained unseen.
Israel’s Defence Minister claimed Larijani was killed in an attack, though Iranian authorities have not confirmed it. His removal would be a major blow to Iran’s strategic leadership.
A seasoned diplomat and former parliamentary speaker, Larijani shaped Iran’s nuclear policy for years. He led negotiations with the P5+1 from 2005 to 2007 and supported the 2015 nuclear deal, despite later opposing its collapse under Trump.
A veteran of the Iran-Iraq War and former head of state media, Larijani earned a PhD in Western Philosophy. He was sanctioned by the U.S. in January over alleged role in violent crackdowns on economic protests.
While acknowledging economic causes behind unrest, he blamed foreign powers-including the U.S. and Israel-for inciting violence.