A wave of targeted Israeli strikes has decimated Iran's top leadership, leaving a power vacuum at the top of the system. The killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and senior security figure Ali Larijani has raised questions about who is now running Tehran as the war escalates.
Mojtaba Khamenei, the 56-year-old son of the Supreme Leader, has been elevated to the position, but his absence from public view since the strike and reports that he may have been wounded have raised doubts about his control.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has questioned the state of Iran's leadership, saying "I'm not sure who's running Iran right now." US President Donald Trump has also expressed uncertainty about Mojtaba Khamenei's status.
Many analysts believe real authority may now lie with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which has long been one of the most powerful institutions in Iran.
Ali Vaez of the International Crisis Group said the balance of power has shifted decisively, with the Revolutionary Guard now operating as the state. The IRGC operates alongside Iran's conventional military and has deep influence across politics, security, and the economy.
Despite the high-profile killings, analysts stress that Iran's system was built to withstand such shocks, with multiple layers of leadership that can prevent regime collapse.
