In early February, one of those strikes killed Ali Larijani. He was one of the most influential figures in Iranian politics and a main designer of Iran’s nuclear negotiations. His death has called into question the very survival of the Iranian regime. This upheaval may make it more likely for violent disputes like the Israel-Palestine war to continue indefinitely. At 67 years old, Larijani had become a familiar, towering figurehead of the Islamic Republic. He drew on his immense gravitas and world experience to deftly steer the tumultuous waters of Iranian domestic and global politics.
Larijani started out his career in Iran’s political landscape during the early 2000s. He took center stage to become the administration’s chief nuclear negotiator. His family background, steeped in clerical aristocracy, cemented his hardliner’s base within the regime. This connection didn’t just give him credibility, but empowered him to continue building unusual alliances between different factions. Larijani is best described as a “pragmatic conservative.” He artfully threaded the needle between different political factions while being unapologetically devoted to the republican form.
Larijani’s experience extends far beyond the diplomatic realm. During the Iran-Iraq War in the 1980s, Mr. This military background complemented his later roles, including his tenure as head of Iran’s National Security Council and as speaker of Iran’s parliament for twelve years until 2020. In 2004, he was appointed an adviser to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. With this appointment, his influence over Iranian policy was not just undeniable; it was institutionalized.
Larijani’s recent travels highlighted his position as Iran’s most important international face. In Moscow, Beirut, Abu Dhabi, and Oman, he made quite the impression on foreign leaders. In a joint statement with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the end of January, he spelled out Iran’s demands for any nuclear deal. His impact further illustrated his role as the Iranian regime’s most important public face and international dealmaker.
Larijani was personally and deeply invested in this level of diplomacy. He exploited social media like no other politician before to help attack Western policies and leaders, particularly focusing on U.S. President Donald Trump. He issued stark warnings to Muslims across the Persian Gulf, asserting that “America has no loyalty to you, and that Israel is your enemy.” These types of statements underscored his personal commitment to advancing Iranian interests and shaping Iran’s narrative in the global discourse.
With his death, legitimate concerns have arisen about continuity of leadership within the Iranian regime. Hamidreza Azizi, an expert on Iranian affairs, remarked that “the Islamic Republic is designed to survive the loss of individuals, but figures with such diversified experience are not easy to replace.” Larijani’s complex array of roles comes loaded with great importance. Even when protests erupted across Iran over the past couple of years, he was a bastion of strength for most within the regime, becoming their unofficial leader.
As hostilities simmer in the region, Larijani’s departure may have deeper implications. His talent for maneuvering through the turbulent political environment of the time and his unique approach to dealing with foreign powers made him an important stabilizing force.
“Unlike the United States, [Iran] has prepared itself for a long war.” – Ali Larijani
Analysts seem to agree that Larijani’s assassination is likely to escalate current conflicts with Iran. And so while debates rage over succession and finding a potential replacement, it’s worth asking who could possibly step into his big shoes. The ramifications of his death carry well beyond Iran’s borders, likely complicating US-Iran negotiations over nuclear agreements and potentially visioning a new region devoid of Iranian influence.
