Iranian Official Ali Larijani Reportedly Killed in Israeli Strike

Ali Larijani, a top Iranian government official and adviser to the Supreme Leader, was reportedly killed in an Israeli airstrike Monday evening. Larijani had overseen a deadly crackdown on protesters in January 2026 that resulted in thousands of deaths and led to U.S. sanctions against him.

A high-ranking Iranian government official who helped orchestrate a deadly response to anti-government demonstrations has reportedly been killed in an Israeli military strike.

Ali Larijani, who served as an adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader and held the position of secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, was reportedly killed Monday evening, March 16, during Israeli attacks. Gholamreza Soleimani, who led the IRGC Basij force, also died in the same strikes, according to reports. Initially, there was confusion about whether Larijani had survived the attack, with official confirmation and details about his death remaining unclear.

Larijani had been instrumental in directing the violent suppression of widespread anti-government protests that erupted in January 2026. His leadership during that crackdown led to the deaths of thousands of Iranian citizens and resulted in deadly force being authorized against demonstrators. Estimates suggest between 10,000 and 31,000 Iranians lost their lives during the violence, with the heaviest casualties occurring on January 8 and 9.

The 67-year-old official was born in Najaf, Iraq, in 1957 to an influential Iranian religious family. He completed his education at the University of Tehran, where he focused on philosophy and Western philosophical traditions. This educational foundation helped establish his reputation as one of Iran’s more scholarly political figures, someone who could navigate both Islamic doctrine and broader intellectual concepts.

Larijani’s government career began after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, when he joined Iran’s developing political institutions. From 1994 to 2004, he directed Iran’s state broadcasting network (IRIB), controlling a crucial government communication channel during a time of domestic reform movements and international conflicts.

He subsequently took on the roles of Supreme National Security Council secretary and Iran’s primary nuclear negotiator, positioning him at the heart of the country’s most critical policy decisions. His time in these roles came during intense international examination of Iran’s nuclear activities, and observers often characterized his methods as resolute yet strategic, showing both ideological dedication and awareness of diplomatic limitations.

Between 2008 and 2020, Larijani held the position of Parliament speaker (Majlis), representing one of Iran’s most powerful government roles. Throughout this time, he established himself as a practical conservative, frequently serving as a connection point between hardline and moderate political groups. He significantly supported the 2015 nuclear deal, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, sometimes working alongside President Hassan Rouhani’s administration despite political divisions.

While some colleagues viewed Larijani as comparatively moderate, he took an uncompromising stance when the government faced domestic opposition, directly supporting Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. He was identified as one of the first senior officials to advocate using force against January 2026 protesters, leading to a crackdown with casualties numbering in the thousands.

His involvement in suppressing civilian demonstrations resulted in U.S. sanctions. On January 15, one week after the latest violent crackdown started, Washington imposed penalties on Larijani, charging him with “coordinating the suppression of protests and issuing orders for the use of force against protesters” in his council secretary capacity. The actions he endorsed were designed to stop what officials called “domestic unrest” and protect the Islamic Republic’s stability.

Larijani’s death creates a substantial leadership void in Iran, where he had functioned as the second-most influential figure following the now-deceased supreme leader. The recently appointed supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has been largely unavailable, both because he must remain hidden during wartime and due to reports of serious injuries from an airstrike.

During this leadership absence, Larijani was commonly viewed as overseeing the regime’s daily functions, including implementing severe actions against protesters and political opponents. Eliminating Larijani represents a significant strategic action that may not completely overthrow the government but will certainly weaken it and raises questions about who will lead Iran while the conflict continues.