Iran’s Fars News Agency reported on March 17 that Iran’s top national security official, 67-year-old Ali Larijani, was killed in a joint U.S.-Israeli airstrike while visiting his daughter. His son and deputy, Alireza Bayat, also died in the same round of attacks. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz later confirmed that Larijani was killed during an Israeli airstrike.
Larijani was regarded as one of the most powerful figures in the Islamic Republic of Iran and a key architect of security and strategic policy. Last August, he was promoted by Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, who himself had previously died in an Israeli missile strike. Some observers have even described Larijani as Iran’s “de facto leader.” He had at times publicly disagreed with the Iranian president, and it is widely believed that the latter’s actual influence within the regime is limited, particularly within core power structures such as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
The Iranian president issued a statement on Tuesday mourning Larijani, describing his significant contributions to the nation and warning that those responsible would face severe punishment. He also noted that filling the void left by Larijani would be “extremely difficult.”
Meanwhile, Israel stated that there are still thousands of targets within Iran awaiting strikes and continued to expand its military operations in Lebanon, preparing to counter potential retaliation by the Iran-backed Hezbollah.
Commentary:
In recent months, military operations by Israel and the United States have dealt a significant blow to Iran’s leadership, with several high-ranking figures being eliminated in succession. However, the Iranian regime remains operational, which may reflect that its power structure has long been decentralized; even if individual key figures are killed, the entire system can continue to function. This phenomenon indicates that the Iranian regime does not rely solely on individual leaders but is built upon a multi-layered power network comprising the military, security agencies, religious leaders, and the bureaucratic system. Consequently, even if key figures are eliminated, their functions can be swiftly assumed by other institutions, ensuring that the regime does not collapse due to the loss of a single individual.
As the conflict continues to escalate, the situation in the Middle East may become even more volatile, and it remains to be seen whether the Iranian regime can maintain a balance between external military pressure and internal political adjustments.