Iran insists political system remains intact despite assassination of Ali Larijani and other top figures

Abbas Araghchi, the Foreign Minister of Iran, has insisted that the country’s political system will remain intact despite the killing of senior officials, including prominent politician Ali Larijani.

In an interview with Al Jazeera, Araghchi said recent assassinations would not weaken the foundations of the Iranian state, rejecting claims that the system could be destabilized by targeting key individuals. He stressed that both the United States and Israel had miscalculated by assuming Iran’s governance structure depends on a single figure.

“Iran is not a system that collapses with the loss of one person,” Araghchi said, emphasizing the country’s institutional resilience.

Iranian authorities confirmed that Ali Larijani, a powerful figure within the country’s political and security establishment, was killed on Monday night. His death marks one of the most significant losses among senior leadership during the ongoing escalation, making him one of the highest-ranking officials to be killed in the conflict so far.

Araghchi pointed to the earlier killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, as evidence of the system’s continuity. He said that despite the magnitude of that loss, the government structure remained functional and a successor was quickly appointed, ensuring stability.

Ali Larijani, 67, was widely regarded as a central figure in Iran’s power structure. Over the years, he held several influential positions, including Speaker of Parliament from 2008 to 2020, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, and a senior diplomat involved in key strategic decisions, particularly on security and nuclear policy.

Born in Najaf in 1957 into a prominent religious family, Larijani maintained close ties with Iran’s leadership, including the family of Ali Khamenei. The Larijani family has long played a significant role in shaping Iran’s political landscape.

Meanwhile, Iranian state media also reported the killing of Gholamreza Soleimani, the head of the Basij forces, a powerful paramilitary wing of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. He had led the force for six years and was seen as a key figure in Iran’s internal security and regional strategy.

Tehran has blamed the killings on its adversaries, the United States and Israel, describing the attacks as part of a broader campaign against the country. The developments come amid heightened tensions and ongoing confrontations that have raised concerns about further escalation in the region.

Despite the losses, Iranian officials maintain that the country’s institutions remain strong and capable of withstanding external pressure, vowing to continue their political and security agenda without disruption.