Arabic version: تغيرات القيادة والسياسات في إيران وسط الصراع المستمر

Tehran, Iran – Significant changes have unfolded in Iran since the onset of conflict initiated by the United States and Israel two months ago. While the war has altered some dynamics within the country, many foundational aspects of its governance remain intact. According to Al Jazeera, the leadership structure has seen some shifts, but the core institutions of the Islamic Republic continue to function.

The death of high-ranking officials, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has led to the emergence of his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, as the new supreme leader. Despite this transition, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) remains a dominant force in military operations and economic management, ensuring the regime’s stability. The IRGC’s influence is further solidified by the appointment of Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr as the new secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, following the death of Ali Larijani in a missile strike.

Although the Iranian government has faced external pressures, hardliners within the regime have resisted concessions to the United States, viewing them as capitulation. The IRGC and the traditional army assert their readiness to respond to any further aggression from the U.S. and Israel. Meanwhile, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has indicated a desire to negotiate but has also emphasized that there will be no surrender.

Domestically, the Iranian economy is grappling with severe challenges exacerbated by ongoing military actions and international sanctions. The state has instituted a near-total internet shutdown for security reasons, which has lasted for 60 days. As public frustration mounts, the government remains steadfast in its decision to limit internet access until the conflict concludes. The focus has shifted towards securing essential goods, with the reinstatement of a currency allocation system for imports aimed at alleviating shortages of food and medicine.