In the powerful position of Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran—a key policymaking body in the country—Larijani had become the de facto leader of the Islamic Republic following the killing of Khamenei in an Israeli attack on February 28.
Although he was not a cleric, he was a unifying figure, bringing together political factions and maintaining strong ties with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), intelligence services, and the clerical establishment.
With Khamenei’s death, his son as a contested successor, and now Larijani also dead, Iran is facing what is seen as a leadership vacuum.
His death, experts say, could further complicate diplomatic efforts to end the current war.
“Among those we know are still within the Islamic Republic system—meaning politicians we can confirm are still alive—there is no replacement for Ali Larijani in this role,” says Babak Dorbeiki, a UK-based political analyst.
The System Operator
During his decades-long political career, the 67-year-old Larijani served, among other roles, as a nuclear negotiator and Speaker of Parliament.
But above all, he was a political survivor.
He lost the support of the establishment twice, yet managed to return to the political stage.
After Iran’s 12-day war with Israel and the United States in June 2025, his role strengthened, taking on greater responsibilities in national security.
He also served in the IRGC, led the state broadcaster for a decade, and helped secure parliamentary approval for the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers.
For the Islamic Republic, Larijani functioned as a bridge between clerics and generals, as well as between Tehran and Western capitals abroad.
He was not a radical ideological figure, but was considered one of the system’s most capable operators.
Despite this, the system rejected him twice.
In 2021 and again in 2024, Larijani was barred from running for president by the Guardian Council—a clerical body dominated by hardliners.These decisions shocked even his critics.
