Iran’s de facto ruler Larijani is dead. It may not be a win for the US and Israel

March 18, 2026 — 11:04am

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Iran’s top security official, Ali Larijani, had a reputation for being able to bridge the country’s hard-line military elements and more moderate political factions. His killing in an Israeli airstrike could open the way for Iran’s military to tighten its grip over the ruling system, analysts say.

Larijani, the head of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran, was the de facto leader of the country after US-Israeli airstrikes killed the upper echelons of government and the military early in the war. He was known to be trusted by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader who was killed at the start of the US-Israeli campaign late last month.

Larijani’s responsibilities had grown steadily over the past few months, including overseeing the brutal crackdown on anti-government protesters in January. He also liaised with allies and neighbours, and prepared Iran for a military confrontation with the US.

Though he was a veteran conservative politician, Larijani had a reputation as a relative pragmatist........

© The Age