Israel Says Iran’s Intelligence Chief Ali Larijani Has Been Killed

Israel's ​Defence Minister ‌Israel Katz ​said ​on Tuesday that ⁠Iran's ​security ​chief Ali Larijani had ​been ​killed in an ‌Israeli ⁠strike.

The killing marks a significant escalation in Israeli-Iranian tensions, as Larijani was a central figure in Tehran’s security and political apparatus.

Who Was Ali Larijani?

Ali Larijani was a highly influential Iranian politician and security official. He became secretary of the Supreme National Security Council in August 2025, appointed by President Masoud Pezeshkian, and also served as the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s representative on the council.

Larijani was previously speaker of Iran’s parliament (Majles) from May 2008 to May 2020, and headed the Principlist faction from 2008 to 2012. Over time, he was considered a “moderate conservative.”

Before his parliamentary leadership, Larijani was Iran’s chief nuclear negotiator between 2005 and 2007. He was also described in Iranian media as an adviser to the late supreme leader.

Ali Larijani’s brother, Sadegh Larijani, chairs Iran’s Expediency Council, the top arbitration body resolving disputes between parliament and the Guardian Council. Together, the Larijani brothers have been considered among the most influential figures in the Islamic Republic’s political and security establishment.

The strike that killed Larijani represents a major escalation in Israeli-Iranian tensions. As SNSC secretary, Larijani was central to Iran’s strategic and security decision-making, and his death may reshape Tehran’s approach to regional security, military operations, and nuclear negotiations.