{"id":2580743,"date":"2026-03-17T08:59:02","date_gmt":"2026-03-17T12:59:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/what-ali-larijani-killing-says-about-the-state-of-irans-senior-leadership\/"},"modified":"2026-03-17T09:00:30","modified_gmt":"2026-03-17T13:00:30","slug":"what-ali-larijani-killing-says-about-the-state-of-irans-senior-leadership","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/what-ali-larijani-killing-says-about-the-state-of-irans-senior-leadership\/","title":{"rendered":"What Ali Larijani killing says about the state of Iran&#8217;s senior leadership"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">24<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fwhat-ali-larijani-killing-says-about-the-state-of-irans-senior-leadership%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2580743&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The assassination of Ali Larijani, Iran\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/bidens-natsec-adviser-casts-doubt-on-w-h-o-report-on-pandemic-origin-china-refuses-to-turn-over-data\/\" title=\"Biden\u2019s NatSec Adviser Casts Doubt On W.H.O. Report On Pandemic Origin: China Refuses To Turn Over Data\">top national security official<\/a> 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\u2019s leadership even amid wartime pressures.Larijani, who had effectively led Iran\u2019s wartime governance as secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, was seen as a powerful, albeit controversial, architect of Iran\u2019s security strategy; his death sends a message to Tehran\u2019s 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\u2019s internal security apparatus. Analysts note Larijani\u2019s 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\u2019s ability to respond, even as some Iranian capabilities have been degraded. Larijani\u2019s 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.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">What Ali Larijani killing says about the state of Iran&rsquo;s senior leadership<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2534214\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>The assassination of Iran&rsquo;s top national security official, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4493843\/idf-claims-it-killed-two-top-iranian-officials-in-overnight-airstrikes\/\" type=\"post\" id=\"4493843\">Ali Larijani<\/a>, marks the most senior <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4493843\/idf-claims-it-killed-two-top-iranian-officials-in-overnight-airstrikes\/\">Iranian official killed<\/a> since the opening hours of the war with <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/iran\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"100\">Iran<\/a>, and sends a signal that the United States and <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/israel\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"219\">Israel<\/a> are ready to begin going down the chain of command if Tehran remains implacable.<\/p>\n<p>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 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/a-failure-of-epic-proportions-inside-the-european-unions-failed-vaccine-rollout\/\" title=\"\u2018A Failure Of Epic Proportions\u2019: Inside The European Union\u2019s Failed Vaccine Rollout\">de facto leader<\/a> 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&rsquo;s high command that even with wartime precautions, Iran doesn&rsquo;t have the ability to protect anyone in the country.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4493843\/idf-claims-it-killed-two-top-iranian-officials-in-overnight-airstrikes\/\">IDF claims it killed top Iranian official Ali Larijani and Basij commander in latest strikes<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/defense\/4493309\/iran-war-where-things-stand-third-week\/\">Where things stand with Iran war in its third week<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4493193\/viktor-orban-uphill-battle-hold-leadership\/\">Viktor Orban faces uphill battle to hold leadership as opposition hits him on Russia ties and accusations of corruption<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4493843\/idf-claims-it-killed-two-top-iranian-officials-in-overnight-airstrikes\/\">IDF CLAIMS IT KILLED TOP IRANIAN OFFICIAL ALI LARIJANI AND BASIJ COMMANDER IN LATEST STRIKES<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Larijani was one of the most belligerent figures in Iran&rsquo;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.<\/p>\n<p>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 &mdash; Gholamreza Soleimani. Over a dozen Basij commanders were reportedly killed.<\/p>\n<p>Many of those killed were taken out in a strike on a tent being used as the Basij&rsquo;s headquarters after the actual headquarters was bombed.<\/p>\n<p>The choice of targets could also signal a new phase in the war. Larijani has been widely speculated to be the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/iranwire.com\/en\/news\/147783-ali-larijani-masterminded-the-massacre-says-former-official\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/iranwire.com\/en\/news\/147783-ali-larijani-masterminded-the-massacre-says-former-official\/\">mastermind<\/a> 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&rsquo;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.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4491501\/state-department-10-million-bounty-iran-leaders\/\">STATE DEPARTMENT OFFERS $10 MILLION BOUNTY FOR IRAN REGIME LEADERS<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>In another recent shift, last week, Israel began carrying out drone strikes on <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4492450\/irgc-calm-fears-israeli-strikes-basij\/\">individual Basij checkpoints<\/a>, clearing the way for Iranian protests.<\/p>\n<p>The killing also serves as a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/IsraeliPM\/status\/2033836294145446128?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2033836294145446128%7Ctwgr%5E6347cedfad25e035c87434795da633757ea2f57e%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonexaminer.com%2Fnews%2Fworld%2F4493843%2Fidf-claims-it-killed-two-top-iranian-officials-in-overnight-airstrikes%2F\">major propaganda victory<\/a> for the U.S. and Israel after over a week of international doubts. Though Iran&rsquo;s ballistic missile capabilities and navy were all but annihilated, Tehran&rsquo;s ability to harass shipping in the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/strait-of-hormuz\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"21488\">Strait of Hormuz<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n<p>In his announcement of Larijani and Soleimani&rsquo;s deaths, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz joked about the turnover in Tehran.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;President Trump spoke about the high rate of turnover within Iran&rsquo;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,&rdquo; he said.<\/p>\n<p>Larijani stood out among Iranian officials for his advanced Western-centered education, writing his thesis on German philosopher Emmanuel Kant&rsquo;s philosophy of mathematics. He became well-known on X for his <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4486353\/iranian-national-security-chief-threatens-trump-be-careful-get-eliminated-yourself\/\">open mockery of U.S. <\/a>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 <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >final weeks spinning conspiracy theories<\/a> about Jeffrey Epstein.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/defense\/4493309\/iran-war-where-things-stand-third-week\/\"><strong>WHERE THINGS STAND WITH IRAN WAR IN ITS THIRD WEEK<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Mr. Hegseth! Our leaders have been, and still are, among the people. But your leaders? On Epstein&rsquo;s island!&rdquo; Larijani said in a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/alilarijani_ir\/status\/2032488143568425368?s=20\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/x.com\/alilarijani_ir\/status\/2032488143568425368?s=20\">post<\/a> on X responding to War Secretary Pete Hegseth, who said Iran&rsquo;s leadership was cowering and hiding like &ldquo;rats.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>In one of his final posts, Larijani sought to cultivate conspiratorial sentiment within the U.S. and claimed &ldquo;members of Epstein&rsquo;s network&rdquo; were trying to carry out a false flag attack and blame it on Iran.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4493843\/idf-claims-it-killed-two-top-iranian-officials-in-overnight-airstrikes\/\" type=\"post\" id=\"4493843\">IDF CLAIMS IT KILLED TOP IRANIAN OFFICIAL ALI LARIJANI AND BASIJ COMMANDER IN LATEST STRIKES<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve heard that the remaining members of Epstein&rsquo;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,&rdquo; he <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/alilarijani_ir\/status\/2033119770237645261?s=20\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/x.com\/alilarijani_ir\/status\/2033119770237645261?s=20\">said<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Research Fellow and Middle East expert&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hudson.org\/experts\/1467-zineb-riboua\">Zineb Riboua<\/a> at the Hudson Institute&rsquo;s Center for Peace and Security in the Middle East <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/zriboua\/status\/2033863469578010978?s=20\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/x.com\/zriboua\/status\/2033863469578010978?s=20\">speculated<\/a> that his goading of Epstein conspiracy theories was a purposeful tactic to appear naive to Western leaders as he ruthlessly consolidated power.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Here\u2019s a concise paraphrase of the piece:<\/p>\n<p>Ali Larijani, Iran\u2019s top national security official and a de facto wartime leader, was assassinated, marking the highest-ranking Iranian killed since the conflict began. The strike signals that the United States and Israel are prepared to target deeper levels of Iran\u2019s leadership if Tehran resists, even amid wartime precautions. Larijani helped steer the regime during the crisis following the incapacitation of the former leader, and his death underscores doubts about Iran\u2019s ability to protect its senior officials. The operation also killed many Basij leaders, suggesting a broader campaign and the potential for renewed protests. The incident has been portrayed as a propaganda win for the U.S. and Israel and may reflect a shift in how Tehran\u2019s leadership is being challenged.<\/p>\n<p>55-character title options (one line each):<br \/>\n&#8211; Larijani death tests Iran&#8217;s leadership<br \/>\n&#8211; Killing of Ali Larijani tests Iran&#8217;s leadership<br \/>\n&#8211; Larijani death signals shift in Iran leadership<br \/>\n&#8211; Killing of Larijani exposes Iran&#8217;s leadership fragility<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2653,"featured_media":2580744,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Ali-Larijani-e1773751416767.webp?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651,538],"tags":[75956,51418,75957,43212,61529],"class_list":["post-2580743","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","category-washington-examiner","tag-ali-larijani","tag-governance-2","tag-iran-leadership","tag-middle-east-politics","tag-political-succession"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Ali-Larijani-e1773751416767.webp?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2580743","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2653"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2580743"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2580743\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2580747,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2580743\/revisions\/2580747"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2580744"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2580743"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2580743"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2580743"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}