The killing of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has created a moment of liberation for many oppressed Iranians, but it offers no guarantee that Washington and Tel Aviv will be satisfied with what follows, reports CNN.
Khamenei’s regime, marked by brutal repression and flawed economic management, ended with one of the most violent episodes in the recent history of Iranian leadership. His removal triggered both celebrations in Tehran and 40 days of official mourning, as well as uncertainty about the future of the regime.
Israeli officials have suggested that the attack was accelerated to take advantage of an opportunity window, during a meeting of high-ranking leaders. American President Donald Trump seems to have had a similar model to the one applied in Venezuela, indicating that he would have considered a successor to negotiate the future – just as, after capturing Nicolás Maduro, he preferred his deputy Delcy Rodriguez.
Iran is not as easily influenced as Venezuela
However, Iran is not as easily influenced as Venezuela. For nearly 50 years, the theocracy has turned into an autocracy and kleptocracy, and a significant part of the over 90 million Iranians depend on the regime for their daily living. In addition, a minority was involved in suppressing dissent.
In contrast to Syria, whose security forces had been weakened after the civil war in 2024, Iranian forces have just refreshed their experience of brutality in suppressing the protests in January.
The attack not only eliminated Khamenei, but also Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh, Security Council Chief Ali Shamkhani, and Revolutionary Guards Commander Mohammad Pakpour, in just a few hours. This represents the elimination of a recently reorganized security elite after the 12-day war in June.
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