Iran's Revolutionary Guard Seizes Power as US‑Iran Hostilities Intensify

Following the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, Iran’s leadership has shifted toward the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The succession of Mojtaba Khamenei, whose whereabouts remain unclear, has allowed the IRGC to assume a dominant role in the regime, challenging the principle of Velayat‑e‑Faqih that gave the Supreme Leader absolute authority.

The 60‑day cease‑fire between Iran and the United States has effectively collapsed, with renewed confrontations reported in the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Iran announced projectile attacks on military targets on Qeshm Island, while the United States confirmed new strikes near the strait. No casualties were reported in the Qeshm incident. The breakdown of the cease‑fire threatens regional security and hampers the release of frozen Iranian assets tied to the earlier memorandum of understanding.