ALBAWABA - Iran faces a significant challenge in filling the void left by the assassination of its top national security official, Ali Larijani, in an Israeli airstrike on Tuesday. Analysts consider this a difficult task.
Larijani was one of the country's most prominent political figures and a key decision-maker, possessing extensive experience, negotiating skills, and the ability to work with various factions within the regime, in addition to his international presence.
CNN reported that, according to legal frameworks, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is the one responsible for appointing a replacement for Ali Larijani, Iran's secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Iran last Monday.
Who is likely to replace Ali Larijani?
According to some political experts, prominent regime figure Saeed Jalili could assume the position, replacing Larijani as the country's secretary of the Supreme National Security Council.
Former Iranian parliament speakers Ali Larijani (L) and Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf (R) attend the inauguration session for the new Parliament in Tehran on May 27, 2024. Photo by - / AFP
This speculation is based on political precedents indicating the appointment of figures close to the Supreme Leader to the National Security Council, making Saeed Jalili a possible choice, especially given his previous tenure as national security advisor, his role as chief nuclear negotiator, and his current membership in the Expediency Discernment Council.
Iranian affairs researcher Arash Azizi described Jalili as "a prominent hardliner leading the most anti-Western faction within the regime," noting that his appointment would reflect a clear shift toward the hardline camp, in contrast to Larijani, who was seen as a moderate and pragmatic figure.
However, Saeed Jalili may face difficulties in managing the delicate balance within the regime, as analysts believe that "his hardline stance could represent a weakness that reduces the regime's ability to maneuver under the current challenging circumstances."
