Iran Faces Crisis After 12-Day War With Israel

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei reportedly spent the 12-day war with Israel in a bunker due to heightened threats, emerging publicly afterward at a highly secured religious event in Tehran. The conflict resulted in significant Iranian casualties, including over 30 high-ranking commanders, renowned nuclear scientists, and hundreds of civilians, alongside major damage to economic infrastructure. Despite Khamenei's public declarations of victory and defiance toward the U.S., analysts note that Israeli infiltration and the scale of losses have severely shaken regime confidence. The war's aftermath has exposed leadership vulnerabilities, prompting Khamenei to acknowledge for the first time the identification of potential successors, raising concerns about political succession and regime stability. Large public mourning events in Tehran highlight both popular anger and the regime's efforts to project resilience. With a fragile ceasefire now in place, focus has shifted from external conflict to internal power struggles and succession planning, marking a pivotal juncture for Iran's future.