Ali Larijani, Iran’s top security official, has reemerged as a central figure in Tehran, openly warning U.S. President Donald Trump to tread carefully, asserting that Iran fears no “empty threats.”
In a recent post on X, Larijani said:
“Iran is not afraid of your empty threats. Even the biggest ones—you cannot eliminate the Iranian nation. Take care not to be eliminated yourself.”
Background and Influence
Larijani, 67, serves as Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, making him one of the most powerful figures in Iran’s political and security apparatus. A veteran of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), he commanded IRGC forces during the Iran-Iraq War and has long played a key role in Iran’s nuclear and regional strategy.
He has been closely aligned with Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran’s newly appointed Supreme Leader, taking on an even more prominent role in shaping Tehran’s foreign policy, especially regarding Russia, China, and Gulf states. He manages Iran’s relations with Lebanon and Yemen, overseeing proxy groups including Hezbollah.
Career Highlights
- Supreme National Security Council Secretary: 2005–2007, reappointed 2025.
- Iranian Parliament Speaker: 2008–2020, and lead negotiator in Iran’s nuclear talks culminating in the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
- State broadcaster chief: 1994–2004.
- Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance: 1992–1994.
- Twice barred from presidential candidacy by the Guardian Council.
Recent Actions
Larijani has threatened that regional security, including the Strait of Hormuz, will remain unstable as long as conflicts with the U.S. and Israel continue. His warnings have intensified tensions, prompting a sharp response from Donald Trump, who threatened Iran with far stronger retaliation.
Larijani’s return to the heart of Iran’s security decision-making signals a more assertive Tehran posture toward the U.S. and its regional allies, combining both political and strategic influence with his long-standing military experience.
