Ali Larijani facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sardar
Ali Larijani
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| علی لاریجانی | |
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Larijani in 2021
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| Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council | |
| In office 5 August 2025 – 17 March 2026 |
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| President | Masoud Pezeshkian |
| Preceded by | Ali Akbar Ahmadian |
| Succeeded by | Vacant |
| In office 15 August 2005 – 20 October 2007 |
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| President | Mahmoud Ahmadinejad |
| Deputy | Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli |
| Preceded by | Hassan Rouhani |
| Succeeded by | Saeed Jalili |
| 5th Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly | |
| In office 28 May 2008 – 28 May 2020 |
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| Deputy | Mohammad-Reza Bahonar Mohammad-Hassan Aboutorabi Fard Masoud Pezeshkian |
| Preceded by | Gholam-Ali Haddad-Adel |
| Succeeded by | Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf |
| Member of the Islamic Consultative Assembly | |
| In office 28 May 2008 – 28 May 2020 |
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| Constituency | Qom |
| Member of Expediency Discernment Council | |
| In office 28 May 2020 – 17 March 2026 |
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| Appointed by | Ali Khamenei |
| Chairman | Sadiq Larijani |
| Preceded by | Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf |
| In office 17 March 1997 – 2002 |
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| Appointed by | Ali Khamenei |
| Chairman | Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani |
| Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance | |
| In office 16 July 1992 – 15 February 1994 |
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| President | Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani |
| Preceded by | Mohammad Khatami |
| Succeeded by | Mostafa Mir-Salim |
| Head of Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting | |
| In office 13 February 1994 – 23 May 2004 |
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| Appointed by | Ali Khamenei |
| Preceded by | Mohammad Hashemi |
| Succeeded by | Ezzatollah Zarghami |
| In office 14 February 1981 – July 1981 |
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| Appointed by | Supervisory council |
| Preceded by | Ali Akbar Mohtashamipur and Abdollah Nouri (Co-caretakers) |
| Succeeded by | Mohammad Hashemi Rafsanjani |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Ali Ardashir Larijani
3 June 1958 Najaf, Iraq |
| Died | 17 March 2026 (aged 67) Tehran, Iran |
| Political party | Islamic Coalition Party (1990–2026) |
| Spouse | Farideh Motahhari |
| Children | 4 |
| Parent |
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| Relatives |
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| Alma mater | Sharif University of Technology (BS) University of Tehran (PhD) |
| Signature |  |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service |  IRGC |
| Rank | Brigadier general |
| Battles/wars | Iran–Iraq War 2026 Iran war X |
| Scientific career | |
| Institutions | University of Tehran |
| Thesis |
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| Doctoral advisor | Gholam-Ali Haddad-Adel |
| Other academic advisors | Karim Mojtahedi |
| Influences | Immanuel Kant Saul Kripke David Lewis |
Ali Ardashir Larijani (born 3 June 1958 – died 17 March 2026) was an important Iranian politician and military officer. He also studied philosophy. He served as the Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council twice, most recently from 2025 until his assassination in 2026. Many people considered him a very powerful leader in Iran during late 2025 and early 2026.
Born in Najaf, Iraq, Larijani came from a well-known family. He studied Western philosophy at the University of Tehran. He joined the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in 1981. He was the Speaker of the Parliament of Iran from 2008 to 2020. He was also a member of the Expediency Discernment Council. He tried to run for president several times but was not approved to be a candidate.
As Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, he was a key negotiator on important national security matters, including Iran's nuclear program. He was also involved in the Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Ali Larijani was born in Najaf, Iraq, to Iranian parents. His family came from Amol, a city in northern Iran. His father, Hashim Larijani, was a respected religious leader. His parents moved to Najaf in 1931 but returned to Iran in 1961.
Larijani studied at Qom seminary. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science and mathematics. He also received a master's degree and a PhD in Western philosophy from the University of Tehran. He wrote books about famous philosophers like Immanuel Kant. Larijani was a teacher at the University of Tehran.
Ali Larijani's Political Journey
Larijani was a commander in the Iranian Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) and served during the Iran–Iraq War (1980–1988). He held several government positions, including deputy minister roles. In 1994, he became the head of the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), a major media organization, a role he held for ten years. In 2004, he became a security adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Running for President
Larijani ran for president in the 2005 presidential elections but did not win. He was seen as a leading conservative candidate at the time.
He tried to become president again in the 2021 and 2024 elections. However, his candidacy was not approved by the Guardian Council, a body that checks candidates.
Key Roles in Government
In 2005, he was appointed Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council. This council helps create important national security policies. In this role, he was Iran's chief negotiator on its nuclear program, discussing these matters with European officials. He resigned from this position in 2007.
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In March 2008, Larijani was elected to the Iranian Parliament from Qom. In May 2008, he became the Speaker of the Parliament, a position he held until 2020. He was re-elected as Speaker several times.
In March 2025, there were discussions about Iran's nuclear activities. Larijani stated that Iran might develop nuclear weapons if attacked by certain countries.
On 13 June 2025, a conflict known as the Iran–Israel war began. This included attacks on several nuclear facilities. On 22 June, the United States Air Force and United States Navy attacked some Iranian nuclear sites.
On 5 August 2025, President Masoud Pezeshkian appointed Larijani to be the Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council for a second time.
From January 2026, Larijani was described by some news organizations as having a very powerful role in Iran. He was involved in the government's response to public demonstrations. Due to his role in these responses, the United States placed new sanctions on him in January 2026. He was seen as a key figure in managing the country's affairs. After the assassination of Ali Khamenei, Larijani made statements about the Iranian government's response.
His Political Ideas
Ali Larijani was considered a conservative politician. He was part of various political groups and alliances throughout his career. Over time, he was also described as a more moderate conservative. He supported practical approaches in politics and was interested in economic ideas that balanced government involvement. He was also seen as an Iranian nationalist.
He had close working relationships with several important government officials. Larijani had different views from some politicians, like Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, but supported others, like Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani and some reforms by Hassan Rouhani.
One day before his death, Larijani criticized some Islamic countries for not supporting Iran in its disagreements with the US and Israel.
Family and Personal Life
Ali Larijani came from a large and influential family. His brothers, Sadiq Larijani (President of the Judicature), Mohammad-Javad Larijani, Bagher Larijani, and Fazel Larijani, also held important positions. He was also related to other notable figures, including his father-in-law, Morteza Motahhari.
His daughter, Fatemeh Ardeshir-Larijani, was studying in the United States. In 2026, her employment at a medical center in the US received public attention and protests from some Iranian Americans. As a result, her employment ended.
How Ali Larijani Died
On the night of 16–17 March 2026, during the Iran war, Ali Larijani was killed in an Israeli airstrike. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz confirmed his death, and Iran later announced it. His son, Morteza, and the head of his office, Alireza Bayat, also died in the same attack. News reports suggested he was either visiting his daughter or meeting with officials in a hideout when the strike occurred. Another Iranian military commander, Gholamreza Soleimani, was also killed in a separate Israeli airstrike that night.
Election Results
This table shows the elections Ali Larijani participated in.
| Year | Election | Votes | % | Rank | Notes |
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| 2005 | President | 1,713,810 | 5.83 | 6th | Lost |
| 2008 | Parliament | 239,436 | 73.01 | 1st | Won |
| 2012 | Parliament |  270,382 |
 65.17 |
1st | Won |
| 2016 | Parliament | 1191329 |
40.31 |
2nd | Won |
| 2021 | President | N/A | Disqualified | ||
| 2024 | President | N/A | Disqualified | ||
See also
In Spanish: Alí Lariyaní para niños
