Strategic Blunder: On the U.S., the Iran War The U.S. must pull back instead of tailing Israel in this reckless war. Following the assassination of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a joint U.S.-Israeli strike on February 28, Iran elevated his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, as the new Supreme Leader. This decision signaled defiance and continuity, as the 57-year-old ayatollah, who lost other family members in the attack, was chosen by Iran’s Assembly of Experts. Mojtaba Khamenei, a veteran of the Iran-Iraq war and a key figure in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, has maintained strong ties to the clerical establishment. His elevation underscored Iran’s resolve to resist foreign aggression, despite the ongoing conflict. The U.S. and Israel’s initial belief that the strike would destabilize Iran proved incorrect, as all branches of the Iranian state rallied behind the military and clergy. The war has since expanded, with Iran targeting U.S. bases and energy infrastructure in the Persian Gulf, as well as Israel. The new leadership in Tehran has reinforced the country’s determination to endure the conflict. The war was a wholly unnecessary escalation. Israel and the U.S. launched attacks on Iran shortly after Oman, which had mediated talks between Tehran and Washington, indicated a potential nuclear deal was within reach. President Donald Trump’s objectives shifted rapidly during the conflict. On the first day, he declared the overthrow of the Iranian state as his goal. By the fifth day, he expressed interest in selecting Iran’s new leader. By the eleventh day, he claimed the war was already won and that it would end “soon,” despite Iranian missiles continuing to strike Israel and U.S. bases. The U.S.#iran #israel #iranian_revolutionary_guard_corps #mohammad_khamenei #iranian_assembly_of_experts
