New Delhi . The frequent and accurate aerial attacks of Israeli on Iran (Iran) have not only damaged its military capabilities, but have also shocked the internal strength and decision process of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. According to reports, many trusted military and intelligence advisors of Khamenei have been killed in these attacks, now they have become more alone and strategically weaker than ever before.
86 -year -old Khamenei has been in power since 1989. They are leading Iran by passing through one of its biggest geopolitical crises. Israeli attacks are being carried out for the purpose of stopping Iran’s nuclear program, and now these attacks are also targeting people very close to Khamenei.
Foreign Policy expert Ali Akbar Valayati
Former Foreign Minister Kamal Kharraji
Former Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani
Ali Asgar Hazazi, senior strategist on intelligence affairs
However, Khamenei’s biggest weakness after the death of senior military commanders is visible towards its regional military strategy and internal security.
Mojtaba Khamenei: The next face of power?
In the shadow of this reorganization of power, a name and rapid emerging is emerging- Mojtaba Khamenei, son of Khamenei. Middle level cleric Mojtaba has formed deep relations with many powerful groups, especially revolutionary guards in the last two decades and has now been seen as the successor of Khamenei. Amidst this crisis, Khamenei’s son Mojtaba Khamenei is already considered a hidden but powerful player in Iran’s power. Some analysts believe that these attacks may provide an opportunity to lead to lead to Mojtaba, although no official announcement has been made as a successor to Khamenei yet.
External loss also severe?
The loss for Khamenei outside Iran has been equally serious. Hizbullah chief Hasan Nasrallah was a close associate of Khamenei, he was killed in an Israeli attack in September. Bashar al-Assad of Syria was called the “axis of resistance of Iran” and a major ally but in December he was overthrown by the rebels. Israel has been badly crushed by Iran’s “resistance axis”.
Iran’s “axis of resistance” is a regional alliance, which Iran has created to combat the influence of Western countries (especially America and Israel). The alliance is a network of various armed groups and governments supported Iran in the Middle East, which promotes the ideology and strategic interests of the Islamic Republic. Its main objective is to challenge the regional dominance of Israel and the United States, spread Shia Islam, and to strengthen Iran’s geopolitical influence.
Prominent members of “axis of resistance”
Hizbullah (Lebanon): The Shia Armed Group of Lebanon, which was formed by Iran in the 1980s. It is the most powerful non-state player against Israel who has advanced rockets and missiles. Hizbullah gets financial and military support from Iran.
Hamas and Islamic Jihad (Palestine): These Sunni groups operating in the Gaza Strip fight against Israel. Although these organizations are Sunni, they receive weapons, training and financial assistance from Iran.
Huki Rebel (Yemen): The Shia-inspired Huti Group in Yemen, fighting against the Saudi Arabia-led coalition. Iran provides them with weapons and strategic support.
Shia Milicia (Iraq and Syria): Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) in Iraq and various Shia groups in Syria, which work under the instructions of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). These groups were also active in the fight against ISIS.
Syria’s Assad Government: The government of Bashar al-Asad is a major ally in Iran. Iran supported Assad military and financially in the Syrian Civil War, increasing the influence of Iran in Syria.
Recent Israeli attacks have given a serious blow to this alliance. The murder of Hasan Nasrallah, the leader of Hizbullah in September 2024, and the death of several senior commanders of IRGC in October 2024 weakened the military and strategic capacity of the “axis of resistance”. In addition, increasing pressure on Hamas and Huki groups has made Iran’s regional strategy more complicated.
Void of power made from the death of advisors
According to a report by Reuters, five people associated with the internal circle of Khamenei have confirmed that Hussain Salute, Missile Program chief Aamir Ali Hajizadeh, and top intelligence officer Mohammad Kazemi have been killed in recent airstrikes. These were all part of the main advisory team of 15–20 people who advised Khamenei on important issues like national security and foreign policy. The team consists of senior clerics, politicians and high officials of revolutionary guards. It meets when called by Khamenei’s office and its main feature is- Iranian revolution and complete loyalty to Khamenei.
Dual kill of internal and external pressure
Iran is already struggling with strict Western sanctions, domestic economic crisis, and anti -public protests. Khamenei’s hold on power has so far maintained the strength of Revolutionary Guards and Basij Military, who crushed the protests in 1999, 2009 and 2022. But analysts believe that the current economic dissatisfaction can be so deep on any day that it becomes impossible to suppress it.
Political spine is still alive, but lack of military thinking
While military disadvantage has caught everyone’s attention, some old political advisors of Khamenei are still active. These include –
