TEHRAN — Ali Larijani, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike, was one of Iran’s most prominent political figures, holding key positions across state media, security institutions and parliament over more than four decades.Born on June 3, 1957, in Najaf, Iraq, Larijani studied computer science at Sharif University of Technology before earning a master’s degree and doctorate in philosophy from the University of Tehran.He began his career in 1981 as head of the Central News Unit and joined the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in 1982. In the early years of his career, he held several deputy ministerial roles, including positions related to parliamentary, legal and labor affairs.From 1986 to 1989, he served as deputy minister for legal and parliamentary affairs at the Revolutionary Guards Ministry, before becoming deputy chief of staff of the IRGC between 1989 and 1992.In the 1990s, Larijani shifted toward media and cultural roles, serving as head of the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), the country’s state media organization, for nearly a decade.He later moved into national security leadership, serving as secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, where he played a central role in overseeing Iran’s nuclear file and participating in related negotiations.Larijani went on to become a leading figure in Iran’s legislative branch, representing Qom in parliament and serving three consecutive terms as speaker from 2008 to 2020.In 2025, he was reappointed as secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, returning to a key strategic role within Iran’s leadership structure.Politically, Larijani was long associated with Iran’s conservative camp, though in recent years he was seen as adopting a more moderate tone.TEHRAN — Ali Larijani, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike, was one of Iran’s most prominent political figures, holding key positions across state media, security institutions and parliament over more than four decades.Born on June 3, 1957, in Najaf, Iraq, Larijani studied computer science at Sharif University of Technology before earning a master’s degree and doctorate in philosophy from the University of Tehran.He began his career in 1981 as head of the Central News Unit and joined the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in 1982. In the early years of his career, he held several deputy ministerial roles, including positions related to parliamentary, legal and labor affairs.From 1986 to 1989, he served as deputy minister for legal and parliamentary affairs at the Revolutionary Guards Ministry, before becoming deputy chief of staff of the IRGC between 1989 and 1992.In the 1990s, Larijani shifted toward media and cultural roles, serving as head of the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), the country’s state media organization, for nearly a decade.He later moved into national security leadership, serving as secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, where he played a central role in overseeing Iran’s nuclear file and participating in related negotiations.Larijani went on to become a leading figure in Iran’s legislative branch, representing Qom in parliament and serving three consecutive terms as speaker from 2008 to 2020.In 2025, he was reappointed as secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, returning to a key strategic role within Iran’s leadership structure.Politically, Larijani was long associated with Iran’s conservative camp, though in recent years he was seen as adopting a more moderate tone.
