In the immediate aftermath of the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Ali Larijani, Iran’s top security official, struck a defiant tone, vowing retaliation against the United States and outlining plans for a transitional command structure.Larijani said in statements reported by Al Jazeera that the Americans stabbed the Iranian people in the heart and we will stab them in the heart. He warned that the response of the Iranian armed forces would be much stronger. “They need to know they can’t just hit and run.”
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Larijani also confirmed that the interim command mechanism will be activated after Khamenei’s death, according to The Times of Israel. He added: “An interim leadership council will soon be formed, and the president, the head of the judiciary, and a jurist from the Guardian Council will assume responsibility until the next leader is elected.”
This council will be established as soon as possible. “We are working on forming it early today,” Larijani said. His comments point to retaliation abroad and political management at home, as Iran goes through 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 of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and a longtime conservative politician, he currently serves as Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, Iran’s highest national security body.
In recent months, as tensions with the United States and Israel rose and nationwide protests swept Iran, Khamenei reportedly relied heavily on Larijani to guide the country. Iranian officials describe him as a trusted and loyal advisor who has direct contact with the Supreme Leader.Conservative analyst Nasser Imani said that Khamenei “completely trusts Larijani,” describing him as the right person at a “sensitive juncture” because of his political experience and strategic thinking.Larijani’s responsibilities have expanded significantly. He oversaw internal security measures during the 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 the event of war or command disruption.Larijani comes from an elite political and religious family. He served as Speaker of Parliament for 12 years, and previously served as Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council from 2005 to 2007 before returning to his position on August 5 of 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 regime.Although Larijani is a central figure in Iran’s leadership circle, he is not considered a potential successor to Khamenei because he is not a senior Shiite cleric, a prerequisite for the position of supreme leader. However, officials say it sits at the top of emergency lists to manage the country in the event of a driving disorder, according to the New York Times.Observers describe Larijani as a conservative who mixes pragmatism and nationalism. While some critics link him to harsh crackdowns on dissent and allege complicity in human rights abuses, his supporters view him as one of the few remaining figures capable of holding the regime together under pressure.