Donald I, emperor of the world.

[Ian H]

American and Israeli bombardment and an internet blackout make it difficult to read public opinion in Iran. The regime is still widely loathed. But as bombs fall dissent has retreated indoors. On Iran’s streets mourning for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei—killed on Saturday—has eclipsed grief for the thousands of protesters slain in January at his command.
A worn-out regime has found renewed purpose under fire. Anti-Americanism and anti-Zionism, which had become threadbare ideologies, have gained fresh force. The restraints that Khamenei placed on Iran’s armed forces are off. And political hardliners, emboldened by war, appear to have replaced reformists in the struggle to name Khamenei’s successor as supreme leader. Talk of a managed transition—or of repairing the rupture with America that has defined the regime since 1979—has faded. Reports suggest the leading contender is Khamenei’s son, Mojtaba Khamenei, who has close ties to the regime’s security apparatus.
[The Economist]

 

[briantrumpet]

American and Israeli bombardment and an internet blackout make it difficult to read public opinion in Iran. The regime is still widely loathed. But as bombs fall dissent has retreated indoors. On Iran’s streets mourning for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei—killed on Saturday—has eclipsed grief for the thousands of protesters slain in January at his command.
A worn-out regime has found renewed purpose under fire. Anti-Americanism and anti-Zionism, which had become threadbare ideologies, have gained fresh force. The restraints that Khamenei placed on Iran’s armed forces are off. And political hardliners, emboldened by war, appear to have replaced reformists in the struggle to name Khamenei’s successor as supreme leader. Talk of a managed transition—or of repairing the rupture with America that has defined the regime since 1979—has faded. Reports suggest the leading contender is Khamenei’s son, Mojtaba Khamenei, who has close ties to the regime’s security apparatus.
[The Economist]

Who'd have thought that there'd be unintended consequences, eh? Well, apart from the rest of the world...

 

[icowden]

Who'd have thought that there'd be unintended consequences, eh? Well, apart from the rest of the world...

But the upshot is that Trump has succeeded in replacing the Ayatollah Khamenei with the Ayatollah Khamenei. So that went well.

 

[briantrumpet]

But the upshot is that Trump has succeeded in replacing the Ayatollah Khamenei with the Ayatollah Khamenei. So that went well.

 

[C R]

View attachment 13598

There are four Khamenei sons. The purported new leader is the oldest, so there are still three more left, and potentially a son in law.

 

[C R]

There are four Khamenei sons. The purported new leader is the oldest, so there are still three more left, and potentially a son in law.

Sorry, Mojtaba is the second oldest, Mostafa is the oldest and Masoud is the third son. No mention of the fourth in Wikipedia. All three named there are clerics.

 

[CXRAndy]

But the upshot is that Trump has succeeded in replacing the Ayatollah Khamenei with the Ayatollah Khamenei. So that went well.

Easy to locate, lives at same address

 

[All uphill]

Anyone else a bit tired of speculation about what the Iranian people want? As if 90 million people can be considered to have one opinion.

When the Shah was toppled there were dozens of groups vying for power. It just happened that the theocrats had the organisation and speed to grab control and the ruthlessness to keep that control.

 

[briantrumpet]

Anyone else a bit tired of speculation about what the Iranian people want? As if 90 million people can be considered to have one opinion.

When the Shah was toppled there were dozens of groups vying for power. It just happened that the theocrats had the organisation and speed to grab control and the ruthlessness to keep that control.

I suspect one thing they are vaguely united on is not wanting to be bombed like Palestine has been bombed.

 

[CXRAndy]

When the Shah was toppled there were dozens of groups vying for power. It just happened that the theocrats had the organisation and speed to grab control and the ruthlessness to keep that control

That's a good thing?

They have gone on to murder hundreds of thousands of their own population. Oppressed women and girls. Have a mantra, death to USA and Israel.

They need to be removed

 

[Pblakeney]

I suspect one thing they are vaguely united on is not wanting to be bombed like Palestine has been bombed.

This war has little to do with nuclear weapons or regime change.
Unless the new regime is a puppet of Israel or the US, or both.