Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei Faces Pressure
The rejection of the Israeli plan to kill Khamenei highlights the complex and delicate nature of the conflict, with the US seeking to de-escalate the situation and avoid getting bogged down in another Middle East war. The situation is a personal blow to Khamenei, who has known Hezbollah's secretary general, Hassan Nasrallah, for decades, and his career is drawing to a close, with speculation over his successor rife.
US President Donald Trump reportedly rejected an Israeli plan to kill Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, telling Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu it was "not a good idea" after Israel launched an attack on Iran. The conversation highlights the complex and volatile situation in the region, with the US and Iran engaged in a series of strikes and the next round of US-Iran nuclear talks cancelled.
The Israeli operation against Iran is expected to take "weeks, not days" and has implicit US approval, although the Trump administration has not critiqued the timeframe in private discussions. American military planners have prepared options for joint US-Israeli actions against Iranian facilities, but there is no indication Trump has approved such options. The administration is skeptical about getting involved in the conflict further, and Trump is aware of the complicated politics at play.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's supreme leader, is facing a difficult situation with few good options after Israel launched a major air offensive against the country. Khamenei has relied on proxies to project power across the region, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza, but Israel's recent attacks have dealt significant blows to Iran's military capabilities and its alliances with Islamist militias. Khamenei's air defenses are ineffective, and his coalition of Islamist militias has been shattered.
The situation remains volatile, with thousands of people gathering in Tehran to protest Israel's attack. The conflict has sparked a series of retaliatory attacks, with Iran striking Israeli cities and Israel responding with airstrikes on Iranian targets. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how Khamenei will navigate the pressures of conflicting forces within Iran and preserve his power and legacy.