Israel’s assassination of Ali Larijani, a central figure in Iran’s political and security establishment, will be a devastating body blow to the country, probably even more than the loss of the supreme leader Ali Khamenei at the outset of the war. Known for his ability to bridge factions within Iran’s complex system, he played a key role linking military and civilian authorities while maintaining influence with international partners. His loss removes a figure seen as capable of navigating both internal divisions and external pressures. He had supported diplomatic engagement alongside firm internal control, positioning himself as a pragmatic voice amid hardline elements. His absence could strengthen more hardline forces, complicating any path towards stability or ceasefire. News update: on 18 March Iran’s intelligence minister, Esmail Khatib, was killed in an air strike. See