Geopolitics

The far greater significance lies in the political sphere. With Larijani gone, a relatively moderate figure accustomed to dealing with the West — and one who wielded significant influence within the system — is eliminated. This makes any potential off-ramp or diplomatic settlement of the war vastly more difficult.

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By removing figures like Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei — with his stated opposition to the bomb — and pragmatists like Ali Larijani, accustomed to dealing with the world, the U.S. and Israel are paving the way for the most extreme hardline factions to fill the void. A reckless strategy if there ever was one, guaranteeing perpetual conflict in the Middle East.