US-Israel Missile Strikes Iran, Khamenei Killed

The United States and Israel launched missile strikes against Iran, with President Donald Trump explicitly stating his hope for regime change. This action follows a history of US interventionism in countries like Vietnam, Panama, Nicaragua, Iraq, Afghanistan, and recently Venezuela. The Iranian economy is in disarray, and dissent is strong, exacerbated by a brutal crackdown on protests. Iranian state media confirmed the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei due to the strikes. The US has not outlined a clear postwar vision for Iran, but its actions in Venezuela, where Nicolás Maduro was captured and the US showed willingness to work with Delcy Rodríguez, may indicate a potential strategy. Experts like Jonathan Schanzer and Phillips O Brien highlight the historical difficulties and uncertainties associated with such interventions, questioning the likelihood of a smooth transition or the emergence of a US-friendly government.