Iran Leader Khamenei Sees His Inner Circle Hollowed Out by Israel

Tuesday 17 June 2025 - 16:06

By: Zahouani Ilham

Iran Leader Khamenei Sees His Inner Circle Hollowed Out by Israel

Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, 86, appears increasingly isolated amid the recent loss of key military and security advisers due to targeted Israeli air strikes. These attacks have created significant gaps within his trusted circle, raising concerns about potential strategic missteps, according to several sources close to the decision-making process.

Since last Friday, several senior commanders from the Revolutionary Guards, Iran’s elite military force, have been killed, including the overall commander, the aerospace chief who led the ballistic missile program, and the head of intelligence. These individuals were among a core group of about 15 to 20 close advisers including military leaders, clerics, and politicians who advise Khamenei.

This advisory group meets irregularly, convened by Khamenei’s office to discuss critical issues at his residence in Tehran. Members are known for their unwavering loyalty to Khamenei and the Islamic Republic’s ideology.

Khamenei, who survived imprisonment and an assassination attempt before assuming leadership in 1989, remains deeply committed to Iran’s Islamic governance and harbors strong distrust toward the West. He holds supreme authority over the military, war declarations, and appointments or dismissals of key officials.

Despite being decisive, Khamenei values counsel and listens carefully to different perspectives, often requesting further information from his advisers. Experts describe him as both highly stubborn and extremely cautious, qualities that have contributed to his long tenure.

At the core of his leadership is regime survival. Khamenei has repeatedly deployed security forces to suppress nationwide protests over the years. While these forces have maintained control, ongoing economic sanctions have caused widespread hardship, which analysts warn could fuel future unrest.