The Post understands that much of the current conventional narrative is revisionist history to try to simplify what was an extraordinarily period of uncertainty and a complex series of ups and downs.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Sunday that the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and members of his family was a "cynical" murder.
Iran's attack might have the opposite effect, bringing Gulf countries closer together and enabling cooperation with the US and among themselves.
The IRGC ignored the fact that Israel changed after the October 7 massacre, and now they’re paying the price. Dictatorships don’t fall from outside; they collapse from within.
Airspace over Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Israel, Bahrain, the UAE and Qatar remained virtually empty.
The complexities of Iran's ruling system, the ideological nature of its support base, and the power of its Revolutionary Guards make it hard to predict what might come next.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly pushed for strikes against Iran, while Saudi Arabia’s role appeared more complex.
One likely candidate to run the Islamic regime after the Ayatollah's death is Ahmad Vahidi, who was the IRGC deputy chief on the eve of the war.
Qalibaf said Iranian authorities had prepared scenarios “including” contingencies for the period after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and pledged that Iran would “continue Khamenei’s path."
Although it turns out Khamenei was killed likely in the war's opening moments by around 30 bombs around 8:00 a.m. Saturday morning, the more intense response only came later.
At least nine people killed in Israel following Iran missile barrage • Pahlavi publishes outline for democratic Iran • Khamenei's advisor, IRGC commander, both confirmed killed in strikes
