The Israeli air strike which killed Iran's security chief, Ali Larijani, has removed one of the Islamic Republic's most experienced and influential policy makers at a critical moment.
Larijani was not a military commander, but he was a central figure in shaping Iran's strategic decisions.
As secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, he sat at the heart of decision-making on war, diplomacy, and national security. His voice carried weight across the system, particularly in managing Iran's confrontation with the United States and Israel.
After the killing of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on 28 February, Larijani struck a defiant tone, signaling that Iran was prepared for a long conflict.
His death, confirmed by state media, comes amid a broader campaign in which several senior Iranian officials and commanders have been killed within a matter of weeks. This pattern suggests a sustained effort to weaken Iran's leadership structure during wartime.
Despite his hardline stance against the West, Larijani was often described inside Iran as a pragmatist. He combined ideological loyalty with a technocratic approach, favouring calculated strategy over rhetoric.
He remained deeply sceptical of engagement with Western powers, but he was also involved in key diplomatic efforts, including acting as an envoy in Iran's long-term cooperation agreement with China.
At the time of his death, Larijani was in charge of managing three major crises: the ongoing war, a wave of domestic unrest, and Iran's nuclear program negotiations.
His replacement will inherit these unresolved issues while facing a volatile environment, likely leading to tougher military posturing and harsher domestic repression. This situation underscores the growing difficulties for Iran's leadership as it struggles with succession and coherence amidst ongoing conflict.
The impact of Larijani's death deepens a leadership crisis that could affect both the course of the war and the stability of the Iranian state itself.
