Decapitation Risk
The killing of Ali Larijani is not just another episode in a widening shadow war; it signals a more consequential shift in how power may now be exercised within the Islamic Republic of Iran.
The killing of Ali Larijani is not just another episode in a widening shadow war; it signals a more consequential shift in how power may now be exercised within the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Given Iran's complex and regimented theocratic system, the protests are unlikely to escalate into another Arab Spring. Indeed, democracy and hard-core Islam seem prima facia incompatible, as the failure of the Arab Spring in all countries where it had once ignited the hope of democratic transition amply demonstrates. More so for Iran, wherethose who exercise power are handpicked by the all-powerful Supreme Leader and lack accountability to citizens.
The clear objective is to strangulate and exterminate identified people; full details of the specific nature of the acts of violence are available in the public domain.
Tehran clearly sees itself as a strong regional force which, in collaboration with Moscow and Beijing, can take on the West both economically and, if required, militarily.
Arguably, Iran could reach a point like North Korea did nearly 20 years ago when, in its reckoning, its decision on possessing the ultimate weapon outweighs any further international sanctions.
It thus comes about that Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejei, now the judiciary’s deputy head, will replace Ebrahim Raisi, who takes office in August as President after winning the election on June 18.
The outcome was a virtually settled fact even before the first vote was cast.
Khamenei and President Hassan Rouhani had called for a mass turnout to mark the anniversary of the revolution and condemn the "hostile" moves of the US against Iran.
The Islamic republic also threatened to abandon more commitments unless a solution is found with parties to the 2015 agreement.
Israel is considered the leading military power in the Middle East and is widely believed to possess its sole if undeclared, nuclear arsenal.
