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Iran Reacts to Ali Larijani Assassination: IRGC Threatens Retaliation, Government Denies Instability

Iran reacts to the assassination of Ali Larijani as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps vows retaliation, while Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi insists the country’s political system remains stable.

ashirbad

Mar 19, 2026 - 17:38

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Iran Reacts to Ali Larijani Assassination: IRGC Threatens Retaliation, Government Denies Instability

Despite the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' (IRGC) vow of "definite revenge," Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has stated that Israel's assassination of Ali Larijani, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, will not undermine Iran's political system.

Following Tehran's confirmation of Larijani's death on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, Mr. Araghchi told Al Jazeera, "I do not know why the Americans and the Israelis still have not understood this point: The Islamic Republic of Iran has a strong political structure with established political, economic, and social institutions."

Prior to the United States and Israel starting the war on February 28, Mr. Araghchi served as the main negotiator with the United States.

The strike also claimed the lives of Larijani's deputy Alireza Bayat and his son Mortaza. The commander of the Basij paramilitary forces, Gholamreza Soleimani, was also slain in a different attack.

Following the February 28 strike by the United States and Israel that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several other important leaders, Larijani became a pivotal figure in Iran's political system and a leader during the war.

"This structure is unaffected by the presence or absence of a single individual," Mr. Araghchi stated. "Of course, people have an impact and play their part—some better, some worse, some less—but what matters is that Iran's political system is a very solid structure."

He went on to say that the system was not significantly affected by Ali Khamenei's murder. "The leader himself was the most important person we have had, and even though the leader was martyred, the system continued to function and promptly supplied a replacement," he stated. "It will be the same if anyone else is martyred."

"The blood of the esteemed martyr would serve as a source of strength and national alertness in the face of the global arrogance and international Zionism," the IRGC said in a statement offering condolences.

The statement went on, "The Corps will definitely not omit to avenge the esteemed martyr and the other martyrs of Iran's Sacred Defense against the adversaries."

Following the announcement of Larijani's death, Iran also launched a fresh round of missile and drone attacks against Israel and Persian Gulf kingdoms. According to a statement from the Guards, the IRGC "has struck more than 100 targets in the city of Tel Aviv in retaliation for the martyrdom of Dr. Ali Larijani. "

"It has targeted sensitive and strategic enemy objects in the Negev Desert, the holy occupied city of al-Quds, the occupied port of Haifa, and Be'er Sheva, which serves as the regime's technological epicenter, in addition to Tel Aviv," it continued.