‘Band of brothers’: These hardliners are now running Iran, and they are not scared of Trump
A group of hardline commanders from the Iranian Revolutionary Guard has taken control of Iran following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. This elite group, shaped by their experiences during the Iran-Iraq war, has maintained the regime's resilience despite external military pressures. Their influence extends beyond individual leadership, as they collectively guide key decisions in the country.
- ▪Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed by Israel on February 28, 2026, and succeeded by his son Mojtaba.
- ▪A small group of senior commanders from the Revolutionary Guard now exerts significant control over Iran's governance.
- ▪These commanders, shaped by their experiences in the Iran-Iraq war, are among the hardest-line figures in the country.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at The Sydney Morning Herald.