In the immediate aftermath of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s killing, Iran’s top security official Ali Larijani struck a defiant tone, vowing retaliation against the United States and outlining plans for a transitional leadership structure.
“The Americans have stabbed the Iranian people in the heart and we will stab them in their heart,” Larijani said in remarks, according to Al-Jazeera.
He warned that the reaction from Iran’s armed forces would be much stronger. “ They must know they cannot just hit and run.”
Larijani also confirmed that a temporary leadership mechanism would be activated following Khamenei’s death, according to Times of Israel.
“An interim leadership council will soon be formed. The president, the head of the judiciary and a jurist from the Guardian Council will assume responsibility until the election of the next leader.
This council will be established as soon as possible. We are working to form it as early as today,” Larijani said.
His comments signal both retaliation abroad and political management at home, as Iran navigates one of the most critical moments in the history of the Islamic Republic.
Who is Ali Larijani?
Ali Larijani, 67, is one of the most powerful figures in Iran’s political and security establishment. A former commander in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and longtime conservative politician, he currently serves as secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, Iran’s top national security body.
In recent months, as tensions with the United States and Israel escalated and nationwide protests gripped Iran, Khamenei reportedly leaned heavily on Larijani to steer the country. Iranian officials describe him as a trusted and loyal adviser with direct access to the supreme leader.
Conservative analyst Nasser Imani said Khamenei “fully trusts Larijani,” calling him the right figure for a “sensitive juncture” because of his political experience and strategic thinking.
Larijani’s responsibilities have expanded significantly. He has overseen internal security measures during protests, coordinated with regional actors such as Russia, Qatar and Oman and played a role in nuclear negotiations with Washington. He has also been involved in contingency planning in case of war or disruption to the leadership.
Larijani comes from an elite political and religious family. He served as speaker of Parliament for 12 years and previously held the post of secretary of the Supreme National Security Council from 2005 to 2007 before returning to the role on August 5 this year.
He was also tasked in 2021 with negotiating a 25-year strategic agreement with China worth billions of dollars, reflecting his standing within the system.
Although Larijani is a central figure in Iran’s leadership circle, he is not considered a likely successor to Khamenei because he is not a senior Shiite cleric, a key requirement for the position of supreme leader.
However, officials say that he sits at the top of contingency lists for managing the country in the event of leadership disruption, according to The New York Times.
Observers describe Larijani as a calculating conservative with a mix of pragmatism and nationalism. While some critics link him to harsh crackdowns on dissent and allege complicity in human rights abuses, supporters view him as one of the few remaining figures capable of holding together a system under pressure.
