The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has indicated that the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, during a U.S.-Israeli military operation could lead to a power takeover by more radical Islamist factions. This assessment was reportedly prepared over the past two weeks, reflecting a comprehensive analysis of the potential consequences of U.S. intervention in Iran.
According to sources familiar with the CIA’s findings, the agency has been examining how military action might trigger a regime change in the Islamic Republic. However, official representatives from the CIA have declined to comment on these reports.
In recent weeks, U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed a desire for regime change in Iran, although he has not specified who he envisions as a potential new leader. In a video address on February 28, Trump labeled the Iranian government as a “terrorist regime” and urged the Iranian populace to seize control, asserting that American strikes would create the necessary conditions for an uprising.
Leading up to this situation, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio conducted a closed briefing for a group of key Congressional leaders, known as the “Gang of Eight,” during which he highlighted the high likelihood of military action. On the same day, the U.S. and Israel initiated a military campaign aimed at dismantling what they described as a terrorist regime in Iran.
Reports indicate that U.S. Armed Forces executed nearly 900 strikes on Iranian targets within the first 12 hours of the operation. Later that evening, President Trump announced the death of Ayatollah Khamenei, marking a significant escalation in U.S.-Iran relations.
The CIA has warned that the potential death of Iran's Supreme Leader during U.S.-Israeli military operations could empower more radical factions. This analysis comes amid escalating tensions and military actions aimed at regime change in Iran.
Source: Reuters