Iranian officials rattled after Ali Larijani killing, discuss who's next — NYT
Photo: Ali Larijani, the former head of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (from open sources)
Israel’s assassination of one of Iran’s key officials, Ali Larijani, head of the Supreme National Security Council, has sparked concerns among Iranian officials regarding their personal safety, according to The New York Times.
In addition to fears for their own lives and safety, Larijani's death has also raised concerns about Iran’s future. After all, officials in the Islamic Republic considered the slain high-ranking official to be one of those who could have brokered a deal in negotiations to resolve the conflict.
The agency notes that the now-assassinated head of Iran's Supreme National Security Council was indeed considered one of the most influential figures in the country, especially following the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in late February. He played a key role in military decisions, internal security, and the suppression of protests.
Larijani’s assassination was part of Israel’s strategy to decapitate the Iranian leadership—a series of precision strikes against the country’s top military and political leadership.
Against this backdrop, Iran has already responded with missile strikes on Israel and targets in the region, sharply escalating the conflict and increasing the risk of a large-scale war in the Middle East.
However, opinions differ on the impact of the high-ranking official’s death on the country’s future. In addition to those who view Larijani’s elimination as a negative factor for Iran's future, some do not attach such significance to it and are convinced that the regime will survive.
As proof that Larijani’s death will not affect the course of events, proponents of the second theory cite the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. They argue that the Iranian regime survived even after his death.
Assassination of Larijani
The day before, Israel launched an airstrike on Iran and assassinated Ali Larijani, the right-hand man of the late Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who also served as head of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.
Tehran subsequently confirmed the elimination of the high-ranking Iranian official Ali Larijani.
Most representatives of the Iranian regime considered Larijani to be a truly influential figure who could have helped ease tensions in the war with the United States and Israel.
