Masoud Asadi

Khamenei was killed in the first hours of the bombardments. A number of the regime’s top-ranking military officials were also killed alongside the Supreme Leader. However, regime’s political officials, considered potential successors to Khamenei, remained unharmed. In several cities inside and outside Iran, people celebrated Khamenei’s death. In Minab, a girls’ school was struck by a missile, killing more than one hundred students. On the second day, the bombings were concentrated more heavily in Tehran. Gandhi Hospital, located near the regime’s military and intelligence centers, was also targeted.

The scale of missile launches by the Revolutionary Guard toward Israel and Arab countries exceeded the expectations of the United States and Israel. Three American soldiers were killed and several others wounded. The capitals of Arab countries were targeted by the IRGC, with the UAE receiving a larger share of the strikes than other Arab states. European countries announced that, in order to protect their interests in Arab countries, they would join the U.S. attacks.

On the second day, Trump declared that he was prepared to negotiate with Khamenei’s successors. However, at a time when Khamenei has not even buried, expecting to find a Delcy Rodríguez among his surviving associates may be premature. According to American press reports, Larijani is the main party negotiating with the Trump administration. Genuine supporters of the regime took to the streets to mourn.

In his speech, while declaring victory in killing Khamenei and stating that air operations might continue for several weeks, Trump called on the Iranian people to take control of the government. The Revolutionary Guard announced that it would respond harshly to any street protests. Meanwhile, there has been no visible presence from the Iranian opposition. Expecting people to take to the streets while bombs are still falling is not a reasonable demand.

After four decades of enduring hardship under a corrupt, plundering, and criminal regime, the people of Iran now find themselves in the midst of an unwanted war in which neither side appears to have a practical plan to end the current situation. The United States does not seek prolonged involvement in this war. Will Trump be able to quickly find his own Delcy Rodríguez among the regime’s successors?