Ali Larijani, Iran’s most powerful security chief and secretary of the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), has died in an Israeli air strike. Along with him, son Murtuza Larijani, office head Ali Reza Biyat and several bodyguards were also killed. Iran itself confirmed this. Israel described it as a ‘precise operation’, but there is a clear message from Iran that now the revenge will be very heavy.

Now the path to peace is over, the war will drag on for a long time

Experts say that Israel killed Larijani because he was the biggest supporter of peace and dialogue. One expert said, ‘Israel deliberately torpedoed the hope for peace. Larijani was the only person who could make a deal with the Trump administration. After his death there is no way left for dialogue or peace.

Ali Larijani’s death is Iran’s biggest blow after the assassination of Supreme Leader Khamenei. Now Iran says that retaliatory attacks will be even faster and heavier. Many experts believe that this incident will prolong the war. Missile and drone attacks from Iran have already intensified. The use of cluster munition has increased. There is a possibility of more attacks from Israel also. There is no hope of de-escalation from either side.

Who was Ali Larijani and why was his death so big?

Ali Larijani was born in 1958 in Najaf, Iraq. He belonged to a very influential religious family. His father Ayatollah Mirza Hashim Amoli was a great religious leader. The Larijani family was called the ‘Kennedy family of Iran’ because many of their brothers remained at the top of Iran’s politics and security.

He was an educated and pragmatist leader. BSc in Computer Science from Sharif University, MA and PhD in Western Philosophy from Tehran University. He was the Deputy Commander of IRGC in 1980, then became Chief of IRIB (Radio-TV), Foreign Minister and Parliament Speaker. But most importantly he was the Secretary of SNSC. This post is considered the main coordinator of Iran’s national security, foreign policy and nuclear program. He played a big role in the JCPOA nuclear deal of 2015.

After the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Larijani became the de-facto leader of the country. He was the bridge between the IRGC and the regime. Was in favor of negotiation and compromise. There were possibilities of some talks between America and Iran through Oman.