Iran's Leadership Crisis: Missing Supreme Leader and Assassinations Spark Power Struggles The Islamic Republic of Iran faces a deepening political and security crisis as its Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, remains absent from public view despite being officially named as the country’s leader. Prominent figures, including former security chief Ali Larijani and former intelligence chief Abbas Ali Zanjani, have been assassinated in recent months, raising questions about who truly holds power in the nation. Analysts warn that the ongoing violence and instability could lead to a more rigid, hardline leadership structure, exacerbating regional tensions. The assassination of Ali Larijani, a key figure in Iran’s security apparatus, has left his brother, Saeed Larijani, as a potential successor within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Saeed, who holds a senior position in the system, is seen by some experts as a viable candidate to lead the IRGC, which has increasingly acted as a de facto governing body. Meanwhile, the IRGC’s growing influence has been evident in its role in military strategy and decision-making, blurring the lines between state institutions and the military. A temporary leadership council, comprising President Masoud Pezeshkian, religious leader Ali Reza Araki, and judiciary chief Golam Hossein Mohseni-Ejei, has been established to manage the country’s affairs. However, internal divisions persist, with some factions supporting Khamenei’s authority and others advocating for alternative leadership. The absence of Khamenei, who has not appeared publicly since his appointment, has further fueled speculation about the legitimacy of the current power structure.#iran #islamic_revolutionary_guard_corps #ayatollah_mojtaba_khamenei #ali_larijani #saeed_larijani
