Ali Larijani A life dedicated to Irans security stability and progress

Ali Larijani: A life dedicated to Iran’s security, stability, and progress

TEHRAN - Dr. Ali Larijani was a distinguished philosopher–statesman of the Islamic Republic of Iran whose intellectual depth, political experience, and strategic vision shaped the country’s policies over his decades of public service.

Throughout his career he served in a wide range of influential positions—within the military, the media establishment, the legislature, and the highest levels of national security decision‑making—playing an important role in guiding the Islamic Republic through numerous political, diplomatic, and strategic challenges.

His long career reflected both the effectiveness of the Islamic Republic’s governing system and the importance of individuals capable of navigating its many institutions while remaining committed to the principles of the Islamic Revolution.

Early life and family background

Ali Larijani was born in 1958 in the holy city of Najaf in Iraq, a city that has long been one of the most important centers of Shiite religious scholarship. He was born into a respected Iranian religious family whose scholarly roots extended deeply into the intellectual traditions of Shiite Islam.

His father, Ayatollah Mirza Hashem Amoli, was a distinguished cleric who had moved to Najaf in 1931 after facing persecution under the secularizing policies of the Pahlavi regime ruler Reza Shah. Like many Iranian religious scholars of that era, Ayatollah Amoli continued his scholarly work in exile while maintaining strong ties with religious institutions in Iran.

In 1961, when Ali Larijani was three years old, the family returned to Iran, where his father resumed his religious and academic activities. Growing up in such an environment exposed Larijani from an early age to religious scholarship, intellectual debate, and political awareness.

This background would shape both his intellectual interests and his later commitment to public service within the Islamic Republic.

Academic education and intellectual formation

Larijani’s academic path initially began in the field of technical sciences. He enrolled at the prestigious Sharif University of Technology in Tehran, one of the country’s most respected scientific institutions, where he studied mathematics and computer science.

However, an important turning point came during his student years after discussions with the prominent Islamic philosopher and revolutionary thinker martyr Ayatollah Morteza Motahhari. Ayatollah Motahhari, who later became Larijani’s father‑in‑law, encouraged him to pursue deeper studies in philosophy and intellectual thought.

Following this guidance, Larijani shifted his academic focus and began studying Western philosophy at the University of Tehran. There he completed both his master’s degree and his doctorate in philosophy.

His doctoral dissertation examined the philosophical ideas of the eighteenth‑century German thinker Immanuel Kant. This academic background gave Larijani a strong foundation in philosophical reasoning and analytical thinking, qualities that later influenced his approach to politics and strategic decision‑making.

Throughout his career he frequently framed political challenges in moral and philosophical terms, drawing on both Islamic intellectual traditions and Western philosophical discourse.

Service in the IRGC

Larijani’s entry into public service came during the early years of the Islamic Republic, when the country faced immense political and military pressures following the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

He joined the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) during the 1980s, a period dominated by the eight‑year war imposed on Iran by Saddam Hussein, the then dictator of Iraq. During roughly a decade of service in the IRGC he rose to the position of deputy commander.

This period played an important role in shaping the worldview of many Iranian officials of his generation. The experience of defending the country during wartime fostered a strong emphasis on national sovereignty, resilience, and strategic self‑reliance—principles that remained visible throughout Larijani’s later political career.

Head of IRIB

In the 1990s Larijani moved into another important field of public service when he was appointed head of the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), the country’s national broadcasting organization.

He served as director of IRIB from 1994 to 2004. During this decade the organization expanded its domestic programming and strengthened its institutional structure as Iran’s primary national media platform.

The period saw the development of new television and radio programming aimed at reflecting Iranian culture, society, and public discourse. Larijani’s leadership of IRIB also brought him greater national prominence and demonstrated his ability to manage large and complex state institutions.

Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council

A major milestone in Larijani’s political career came in August 2005 when then President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad appointed him Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC).

The SNSC is one of the most important institutions in the Iranian political system, responsible for coordinating policies related to national defense, security, and foreign affairs. As secretary of the council, Larijani played a central role in shaping Iran’s strategic decisions during a period of growing international tensions.

In this capacity he also served as Iran’s chief nuclear negotiator, overseeing the country’s most sensitive diplomatic file.

During this period Iran resumed uranium enrichment activities, asserting the country’s legitimate right to develop peaceful nuclear technology.

Larijani remained in the position until 2007, when he stepped down following policy disagreements with President Ahmadinejad regarding the direction of nuclear negotiations.

Speaker of Parliament

After leaving the Supreme National Security Council, Larijani returned to electoral politics. In the 2008 parliamentary elections he won a seat representing the central Iranian city of Qom, one of the most politically significant constituencies in the country.

Soon after entering Parliament, he was elected Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly (Majlis or Parliament), a position he would hold for three consecutive terms.

From 2008 to 2020 Larijani served as speaker for twelve years, making him one of the longest‑serving leaders of the Iranian Parliament.

During this period Iran faced numerous political and economic challenges, including escalating international sanctions, regional instability, and complex negotiations over its nuclear program. As speaker, Larijani played a major role in guiding legislative debates and managing relations between different branches of government.

One of the most significant moments of his tenure came in 2015 when Iran concluded the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), widely known as the Iran nuclear deal. Larijani played an important role in facilitating the parliamentary approval process for the agreement.

Throughout his speakership he was widely regarded as a pragmatic political figure who sought to maintain institutional stability and encourage dialogue between various political factions.

Adviser to Iran’s Leader

In May 2020, after completing his tenure as speaker, Larijani was appointed by the late Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, as one of his senior advisers. Ayatollah Khamenei was martyred on the first day of the joint U.S.-Israeli aggression on February 28.

He was also appointed as a member of the Expediency Discernment Council, a body tasked with resolving legislative disputes between parliament and the Guardian Council while also advising on long‑term national policies.

Through these roles Larijani continued to contribute to strategic policymaking within the Islamic Republic even after leaving parliamentary leadership.

Return to SNSC

In August 2025 President Masoud Pezeshkian appointed Larijani once again as Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, returning him to one of the most influential positions in Iran’s security structure.

The appointment came as part of a significant restructuring of Iran’s leadership following the twelve‑day Israeli‑American aggression against the country in June 2025.

In the official decree announcing the appointment, President Pezeshkian emphasized Larijani’s role in ensuring prudent oversight of national security policy, strengthening coordination among institutions, and addressing emerging technological and strategic challenges.

Larijani replaced General Ali Akbar Ahmadian, who had served in the position since 2023.

As secretary of the council, Larijani sat at the center of decision‑making related to war, diplomacy, and national security. Although he was not a military commander, he played a critical role in shaping Iran’s strategic posture during a period of heightened confrontation with the United States and Israel.

Following the assassination of Ayatollah Khamenei, Larijani adopted a firm and resolute tone, signaling that Iran was prepared for a prolonged struggle.

At the time of his death, he was overseeing several major strategic challenges facing the country, including the ongoing war and wider regional tensions.

Intellectual approach to governance

One of the distinguishing features of Larijani’s career was the intellectual perspective he brought to politics. His academic training in philosophy shaped the way he approached complex political and strategic questions.

In speeches and public discussions, he frequently drew on philosophical ideas and historical reflections, presenting Iran’s challenges within broader civilizational and moral frameworks.

This approach contributed to his reputation as a pragmatic strategist—someone who combined ideological commitment with careful policy analysis.

He was also involved in diplomatic initiatives and international negotiations when they served Iran’s national interests. Among these efforts was his involvement in discussions related to Iran’s long‑term cooperation agreement with China.

Ali Larijani’s long career of public service came to an end when he was assassinated in an Israeli air strike on Monday during a period of intense regional confrontation.

From his early service during the years of war to his leadership roles in media, parliament, and national security, Larijani remained closely involved in the political life of the Islamic Republic.

His career reflected a commitment to the country’s independence, stability, and long‑term strategic development, leaving behind a legacy that continues to shape Iran’s political and institutional landscape.

source: tehrantimes.com