Ali Larijani Assumes Control in Iran After Khamenei's Death in US-Israeli Airstrike
Ali Larijani has taken charge in Iran following deadly air strikes that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Khamenei, who had led the Islamic Republic since 1989, died on Saturday in a joint United States and Israeli airstrike targeting his fortified compound in Tehran. He was 86 years old.
Interim Council Formed to Govern Iran
Mr Larijani, the secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council and a trusted member of Khamenei's inner circle, has now emerged as the central power broker, stepping into the vacuum created by the Ayatollah's death. The 67-year-old confirmed on Sunday that a three-member interim council would be formed to govern Iran until a new supreme leader is appointed. This is a constitutional mechanism triggered when the office falls vacant.
In comments carried by Iranian state media, Mr Larijani said the president, the head of the judiciary and a member of the Council of Guardians would temporarily govern. The body is expected to convene in the coming days to deliberate on succession. During Iran's 12-day war with Israel last year, Khamenei reportedly identified three potential successors, although their names have never been made public.
Larijani's Rise to De Facto Leadership
As Mr Larijani is not a cleric, he is not considered a conventional candidate for supreme leader. However, he is widely viewed as the Islamic Republic of Iran's de facto leader. Before his death, Khamenei had already delegated much of Iran's day-to-day governance to Mr Larijani, a veteran politician and former commander in Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC).
Mr Larijani has overseen an expansive portfolio, including nuclear negotiations, Tehran's regional alliances and the state's response to internal unrest. His influence has effectively sidelined Iran's president, Masoud Pezeshkian. He directed the use of force to suppress recent protests demanding an end to Islamic rule, liaised with key allies such as Russia, oversaw nuclear negotiations with Washington and was tasked with preparing contingency plans in the event of war with the United States.
Mr Larijani, who hails from one of Iran's most famous political families, is also known as a most trusted ally to the former Ayatollah.
Retaliation Threats and Regional Strikes
In response to Khamenei's death, who ruled for 36 years, Mr Larijani declared: 'The brave soldiers and the great nation of Iran will teach an unforgettable lesson to the international oppressors.' And in a social media post on Monday, he appeared to adopt Donald Trump's style and rhetoric, further warning of Iran's retaliation: 'YESTERDAY IRAN FIRED MISSILES AT THE UNITED STATES AND ISRAEL, AND THEY DID HURT. TODAY WE WILL HIT THEM WITH A FORCE THAT THEY HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED BEFORE.'
Iran has since raised its so-called 'Red Flag of Revenge,' and fired ballistic missiles and drones at US allies and assets in the region. A series of strikes have taken place across neighbouring Gulf states, with explosions heard in Qatar, Israel, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, Oman and Saudi Arabia. The US Defense Department has confirmed three US servicemen have been killed in action and another five injured.
