What Ali Larijani killing says about the state of Iran’s senior leadership
Deprecated: str_getcsv(): the $escape parameter must be provided as its default value will change in /var/www/html/breaking-news/wp-content/plugins/wp-auto-affiliate-links/aal_engine.php on line 361
The assassination of Ali Larijani, Iran’s top national security official and a longtime central figure in the wartime government, marks the most senior Iranian official killed since the conflict began and signals that the United States and israel are willing to strike high in Iran’s leadership even amid wartime pressures.Larijani, who had effectively led Iran’s wartime governance as secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, was seen as a powerful, albeit controversial, architect of Iran’s security strategy; his death sends a message to Tehran’s high command that no one is safe. In the same wave of strikes, the U.S.and Israel targeted senior Basij leadership, including its top commander, and hit Basij facilities, suggesting a broader decapitation strategy aimed at weakening Iran’s internal security apparatus. Analysts note Larijani’s possible role as the mastermind behind the January crackdown on protests, so his removal could provoke renewed Iranian demonstrations or heighten domestic tensions. the attacks come alongside a U.S. offer of a $10 million bounty for Iranian leaders and allied Israeli actions such as drone strikes on Basij checkpoints, signaling a coordinated effort to tilt the balance of power in Tehran. The progress is framed by U.S. and Israeli propaganda advantages and raises questions about Iran’s ability to respond, even as some Iranian capabilities have been degraded. Larijani’s public persona-Western-educated and often provocative online-into conspiracy theories also features in analysis, with experts suggesting his final posts aimed to consolidate power while appearing unserious to Western leaders.
What Ali Larijani killing says about the state of Iran’s senior leadership
The assassination of Iran’s top national security official, Ali Larijani, marks the most senior Iranian official killed since the opening hours of the war with Iran, and sends a signal that the United States and Israel are ready to begin going down the chain of command if Tehran remains implacable.
Larijani was one of the most influential Iranian officials for nearly two decades and had served in one of the highest posts in Iran, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, since August. He was widely viewed as the de facto leader of Iran following the assassination of then-supreme leader Ali Khamenei, running the affairs of the wartime government amid the apparent incapacitation of current supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei. His assassination sends a signal to Iran’s high command that even with wartime precautions, Iran doesn’t have the ability to protect anyone in the country.
IDF CLAIMS IT KILLED TOP IRANIAN OFFICIAL ALI LARIJANI AND BASIJ COMMANDER IN LATEST STRIKES
Larijani was one of the most belligerent figures in Iran’s wartime government, and one of the most openly defiant. Just last week, he marched in the streets of Tehran in a display of confidence, alongside other Iranian leaders.
The night of Monday into Tuesday marked the biggest wave of targeted, high-ranking assassinations since Feb. 28. In the same wave of strikes, Israel and the U.S. killed most of the paramilitary Basij leadership, including its top commander for the past six years — Gholamreza Soleimani. Over a dozen Basij commanders were reportedly killed.
Many of those killed were taken out in a strike on a tent being used as the Basij’s headquarters after the actual headquarters was bombed.
The choice of targets could also signal a new phase in the war. Larijani has been widely speculated to be the mastermind behind the January crackdown that saw tens of thousands of Iranian protesters killed, while the Basij played a leading role in the massacres. The death of the crackdown’s mastermind and the decapitation of one of its primary enforcers could be aimed at emboldening new protests from the Iranian people, who have so far been ordered by opposition leaders, the U.S., and Israel to refrain from actively demonstrating for fear of collateral damage.
STATE DEPARTMENT OFFERS $10 MILLION BOUNTY FOR IRAN REGIME LEADERS
In another recent shift, last week, Israel began carrying out drone strikes on individual Basij checkpoints, clearing the way for Iranian protests.
The killing also serves as a major propaganda victory for the U.S. and Israel after over a week of international doubts. Though Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities and navy were all but annihilated, Tehran’s ability to harass shipping in the Strait of Hormuz had shot up global oil prices and triggered significant criticism of Operation Epic Fury among U.S. allies and domestically. The targeted killings of several high-ranking Iranian officials simultaneously show the continued dominance of U.S.-Israeli intelligence and military capabilities. It also adds to the feeling of a lack of control in Tehran.
In his announcement of Larijani and Soleimani’s deaths, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz joked about the turnover in Tehran.
“President Trump spoke about the high rate of turnover within Iran’s leadership. When morning breaks in Washington, we will update him that the high rate of turnover is continuing and even accelerating following the elimination of two of the most senior remaining figures,” he said.
Larijani stood out among Iranian officials for his advanced Western-centered education, writing his thesis on German philosopher Emmanuel Kant’s philosophy of mathematics. He became well-known on X for his open mockery of U.S. and Israeli leaders, using his familiarity with Western thought to target U.S. sensibilities in his rhetoric. He spent much of his public presence online in his final weeks spinning conspiracy theories about Jeffrey Epstein.
WHERE THINGS STAND WITH IRAN WAR IN ITS THIRD WEEK
“Mr. Hegseth! Our leaders have been, and still are, among the people. But your leaders? On Epstein’s island!” Larijani said in a post on X responding to War Secretary Pete Hegseth, who said Iran’s leadership was cowering and hiding like “rats.”
In one of his final posts, Larijani sought to cultivate conspiratorial sentiment within the U.S. and claimed “members of Epstein’s network” were trying to carry out a false flag attack and blame it on Iran.
IDF CLAIMS IT KILLED TOP IRANIAN OFFICIAL ALI LARIJANI AND BASIJ COMMANDER IN LATEST STRIKES
“I’ve heard that the remaining members of Epstein’s network have devised a conspiracy to create an incident similar to 9/11 and blame Iran for it. Iran fundamentally opposes such terrorist schemes and has no war with the American people,” he said.
Research Fellow and Middle East expert Zineb Riboua at the Hudson Institute’s Center for Peace and Security in the Middle East speculated that his goading of Epstein conspiracy theories was a purposeful tactic to appear naive to Western leaders as he ruthlessly consolidated power.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
