TEHRAN — The killing of veteran politician and security chief Ali Larijani by an Israeli precision strike has shaken Iran's political architecture at a critical moment in its war with the United States and Israel. 

As secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, Larijani was not merely a senior official but a central node in the regime's decision-making system and a leader who was seen as capable of bridging internal factions. He was also deemed responsible for overseeing the brutal crackdown on protesters earlier this year. 

For months, Larijani had been one of the few figures within the system associated with cautious engagement, including reported back-channel contacts with Oman, Qatar and Russia. Still, he publicly rejected any diplomacy with the United States in recent weeks and doubled down on military rhetoric.  

The killing also raises questions about whether parts of the US-Israeli strategy are shifting toward leadership targeting. The limits of military escalation — particularly around the Strait of Hormuz — are increasing pressure on Washington, and targeting senior Iranian figures could be viewed as an alternative means of pressure. In that context, Larijani’s killing may reflect an effort to disrupt internal cohesion rather than solely degrade operational capacity.