Middle East on the Brink of War: Death of Ali Khamenei and Iranian Retaliation

The situation in the Middle East has reached a critical point following confirmation of the death of Grand Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The Supreme Leader of Iran, who held power for nearly 37 years, is reported to have been killed in a precision airstrike conducted as part of Operation "Fureur épique" (Epic Fury). Reports indicate that former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, a figure associated with the hardline wing of Iranian politics, was also killed in the same attack. The Supreme Leader was a pillar of stability for the Islamic regime, and his sudden departure has sparked deep mourning among his supporters in Iran, as well as spontaneous acts of joy among parts of the population, especially the younger generation. Since the Islamic Revolution in 1979, Iran has remained in a state of permanent hostility with Israel and the United States, seeking to expand its influence in the region through the so-called Axis of Resistance.The reaction from Tehran was immediate and brutal. The current President of Iran declared that revenge is the "legitimate right" of the nation, which translated into a massive rocket barrage directed against Israel, where fatalities were reported in the town of Beit Shemesh. The attacks also targeted locations in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain. A key element of the escalation is the blockade of the maritime Strait of Hormuz, which immediately impacted global energy security and fuel markets. The U.S. command confirmed the deaths of three of its soldiers in the region, placing Washington before the necessity of a direct military response. „El asesinato de Jamenei es un signo de guerra abierta contra todos los musulmanes” (The assassination of Khamenei is a sign of open war against all Muslims) — President of IranOn the international stage, voices are strongly polarized. Vladimir Putin called the operation a "cynical violation of morality and international law," emphasizing the loss of a key ally. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is seen as triumphant in his long-term strategy of eliminating the enemies of the Jewish state. In Pakistan, bloody riots and an assault on the U.S. consulate occurred, showing that the effects of Khamenei's death extend far beyond Iran's borders. Urgent consultations are underway in the UN Security Council, while Iran faces the specter of a bloody succession struggle following the death of the "tyrant." 37 lat — duration of Ali Khamenei's rule in Iran