Death of influential Ali Larijani would be bigger loss to Iran than Khamenei

March 17, 2026

TL;DR

The potential assassination of Ali Larijani, Iran's top security official, is considered a devastating blow, possibly greater than losing the supreme leader.
Larijani was a pivotal figure due to his extensive influence within Iran and his international connections, particularly with China and Russia.
His removal raises concerns about the depth of potential alternative leadership for Iran and the strategies of countries like the US and Israel.
Larijani played a role in internal power dynamics, attempting to delay Mojtaba Khamenei's succession as supreme leader.
He was a pragmatic politician with a background in mathematics and philosophy, known for his intellectual approach and efforts to bridge political divides.
Larijani's political career included roles as speaker of parliament and head of state broadcasting, and he supported the 2015 nuclear deal.
His return to power as secretary of the supreme national security council highlighted his perceived value in managing Iran's foreign relations and military strategy.

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