IRGC

Later, after Iran threatened Gulf states with retaliatory strikes, Qatar and Saudi Arabia reportedly intercepted multiple incoming missile barrages targeting oil and industrial sites.

The regime has been playing a bit of chess in the region, seeking to move the frontline of the war to Iraq and the Strait of Hormuz.

Khatib was not your average minister. Appointed by Khamenei in 2021, he was a Shia cleric with deep roots in the security world and a history inside the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC).

Before the assassination was confirmed, two sources gave The Jerusalem Post different indications on the likelihood of the success of the operation, which took place Tuesday night.

Pahlavi cautioned that the Iranian government has "no hesitation in suppressing people," and is prepared to kill hundreds of thousands to remain in power.

This comes after Israel Air Force fighter jets struck over 200 Iranian regime targets in western and central Iran over the past day, the IDF announced on Wednesday.

It is still possible that the US could use ground forces in some fashion. Further, the IDF has declined to provide confidence that the threat will be dealt with before the end of the war.

Two anonymous sources told the Post that current US intelligence assessments predict that the regime will remain intact following Operation Epic Fury, and may even become emboldened.

South Azerbaijanis urge the world to recognize Iran’s destabilizing actions and support regional security.

Basij, a key paramilitary militia under the IRGC, has a violent history of suppressing protests, enforcing morality laws, and committing human rights abuses, including torture and sexual abuse.