Even as the conflict in the Middle East entered its thirteenth day, Iran’s leadership is not at risk of collapse anytime soon, according to US intelligence sources.
Quoting one source, Reuters reported that the government in Tehran remains largely intact and continues to exercise control over the Iranian public.
A regime change in Iran was one of the key objectives of the military campaign launched jointly by US and Israeli forces on February 28. Even following the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in the initial phase of the attack, Iran demonstrated resilience, with his son and hardliner Mojtaba Khamenei assuming leadership.
US intelligence reports indicate that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the interim leaders who took over after Khamenei’s death continue to maintain control over the country, Reuters reported.
The new reports come amid mounting global pressure on US President Donald Trump to end the conflict, as oil prices have surged to new highs. However, whether Trump would agree to a ceasefire while Iran’s hardline leadership remains firmly entrenched remains uncertain.
Sources told Reuters that a forced regime change in Iran would likely require a ground offensive, allowing the Iranian population to safely protest in the streets. Trump has not ruled out deploying troops to Iran, with White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Tuesday stating that 'Operation Epic Fury' will continue until its objectives are fully achieved.
Earlier reports had suggested that the CIA was working to arm Kurdish forces to foment a popular uprising within Iran. However, the new intelligence casts doubt on the ability of these groups to sustain a fight against the country’s security forces, indicating that they lack sufficient firepower and manpower.
