In a carefully planned and methodically executed mission, the assault was coordinated by Washington to diminish Iran's command and control structure, as well as attacks targeted senior members of both the Iranian military as well as political leadership. The U.S. called its mission Operation Epic Fury and was largely conducted by U.S. forces.
By Saturday night, reports of Khamenei's death were being reported globally, and video footage from Iranian cities showed large numbers of people celebrating the death of their leader. Many members of the Iranian diaspora exhibited similar celebratory behavior. For many in Iran, Khamenei's removal represents a turning point that years of civil resistance were unable to accomplish.
Sunday, Iranian state television confirmed the news of Khamenei's death. Shortly thereafter, the Iranian government announced the formation of a temporary three-member council that is taking over as the executive authority in Iran as an effort to provide stability and continuity in the Iranian government.
Both U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly commented about the coordinated military attack on Iran's leadership. President Trump urged Iranians "to take over your government", politically framing his comments to create an opportunity for political change; while Netanyahu echoed that regime change in Iran is not only possible but is also desirable.
The military side of Operation Epic Fury, like many military operations, was structured and orderly. The political side and the consequences of this military operation is much less certain. The sentiment of the Iranian people will be complex and it is uncertain whether calls for change will turn into organized actions against the current regime.
Khamenei's death has created a significant leadership void in Iran, which introduces extreme uncertainty about how factions of the Iranian political and military establishments will respond to the absence of Khamenei. Due to the high volume of tension in Iran externally and domestically, the next few days will be of paramount importance.
The survival of the current regime depends on its ability as much to maintain internal unity and respond to public sentiment as it does to respond to the pressure of the United States and Israel in this unprecedented situation.
