Middle East Cracks Within: Iran’s Supreme Leader Faces Mounting Pressure Amid Crisis

[Social Media]

 

Cracks Within: Iran’s Supreme Leader Faces Mounting Pressure Amid Crisis

 

Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is confronting an unprecedented wave of criticism from within his own inner circle as the fallout from Israel’s recent military strikes exposes deep divisions in Tehran’s leadership. The attacks, which targeted key figures in Iran’s nuclear program and military hierarchy, have not only inflicted material damage but also shaken the foundations of Iran’s political elite.

 

On Friday, Israel launched a series of airstrikes that eliminated top military commanders and nuclear scientists while inflicting serious damage on strategic facilities. Although Tehran retaliated with a barrage of missiles, most were intercepted, highlighting what many within Iran are calling a humiliating failure of its defense capabilities.

 

In the aftermath, hardliners have dominated the public narrative, vowing revenge. Iran’s state-owned Fars News Agency, closely tied to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, quoted a senior military official declaring, “The war will spread to all parts of Israel and American bases in the region in the coming days, and the aggressors will be targeted with a decisive and widespread response.”

 

To stifle public dissent, Iran’s judiciary issued a stern warning. Chief judge cleric Mohseni Ejeie announced that citizens who expressed support for Israel’s strikes on social media could face up to six years in prison. Still, cracks are beginning to show. Internal frustrations have begun to surface, some in the form of leaked private messages shared with The New York Times. One official texted, “Where is our air defence?” Another added, “How can Israel come and attack anything it wants, kill our top commanders, and we are incapable of stopping it?”

 

Tehran last night, there was a party where regime opponents celebrated the Israeli attack. The people of Iran are perhaps the only people in the world who are happy about an attack on their country..

In a cafe in northern Tehran last night, there was a party where regime opponents celebrated the Israeli attack.

The people of Iran are perhaps the only people in the world who are happy about an attack on their country. pic.twitter.com/GZ30gpj7VN

— Cheryl E 🇮🇱🎗️ (@CherylWroteIt) June 14, 2025

 

Hamid Hosseini, a senior figure in Iran’s Chamber of Commerce, echoed these concerns. “Israel’s attack completely caught the leadership by surprise, especially the killing of the top military figures and nuclear scientists,” he said. “It also exposed our lack of proper air defence and their ability to bombard our critical sites and military bases with no resistance.” Hosseini also questioned the extent of Israel’s infiltration into Iran’s security infrastructure, suggesting a troubling vulnerability within Tehran’s most secure institutions.

 

 

Despite Supreme Leader Khamenei’s reported order to launch 1,000 missiles in retaliation, Iran managed to fire only about 200. This failure is particularly damning given reports that Tehran had been preparing a response for over a week. The disparity has only intensified scrutiny over the regime’s preparedness and effectiveness.

 

The divide within Iran’s leadership is not new. Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, the struggle between moderates advocating engagement with the West and hardliners favoring confrontation has been a defining feature. While Khamenei remains the figurehead of the hardline establishment, recently elected President Masoud Pezeshkian represents a more conciliatory voice. Pezeshkian has taken a measured tone, calling for national unity and stating, “Today, more than ever, the Iranian nation needs togetherness, trust, empathy, unity and consensus.”

 

Pezeshkian’s victory over hardliner Saeed Jalili was widely seen as a sign of public support for a less aggressive foreign policy and a desire to ease the economic sanctions crippling the country. Throughout his campaign, the 71-year-old heart surgeon and MP was openly critical of the morality police and called for an end to Iran’s isolation. He also supported reengaging in negotiations with the West over Iran’s nuclear program, seeking to exchange curbs on enrichment for economic relief.

 

However, the President’s moderate stance faces fierce institutional resistance. The recent ousting of Mohammad Javad Zarif, former foreign minister and Pezeshkian ally, underscored the regime’s internal rift. Zarif was reportedly pushed out for opposing deeper ties with Russia, viewing that alignment as a hindrance to diplomacy with the West.

 

As Israel continues its strikes with apparent impunity, the pressure on Iran’s hardliners to justify their failures will only intensify. While Tehran's leadership has so far managed to suppress open rebellion, the regime’s faltering grip on both its military strategy and public confidence could, in time, lead to a far greater unraveling.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Telegraph  2025-06-16

 

 

[Pouatchee]

36 minutes ago, Social Media said:

the aggressors will be targeted with a decisive and widespread response

 

money talks... BS walks

 

just a question of time before people in the us start chanting 'free iran'

[Tug]

26 minutes ago, Pouatchee said:

 

money talks... BS walks

 

just a question of time before people in the us start chanting 'free iran'

I think that’s nonsense. I will say this though.personally I think the nuclear agreement should have been honored it was a blunder to kill it.we wouldn’t be in this position now.keep in mind the mullas we’re on shaky ground before and with the threat of sanctions they would have behaved or the people would have ripped them to shreds.now their arch enemy Israel is bombing them that kinda tends to unify a nation Ukraine is a fine example of that.do not conflate what i wrote as supporting Iran I DO NOT!I just think the other method would have had a better chance of success.

[jimmybcool]

I wonder if Vegas is taking bets.  My money says this time the people of Iran throw off the islamic regime and start acting like a responsible nation.  Elimination of the mullahs, a willingness to completely disarm and the world would be happy to buy their oil to help them rebuild a prosperous society.  

[Tug]

1 hour ago, jimmybcool said:

I wonder if Vegas is taking bets.  My money says this time the people of Iran throw off the islamic regime and start acting like a responsible nation.  Elimination of the mullahs, a willingness to completely disarm and the world would be happy to buy their oil to help them rebuild a prosperous society.  

That would be wonderful it truly would im afraid it’s magical thinking tho.Il be absolutely delighted to be wrong tho!!

[Quentin Zen]

I'm in Iran, and headlines are talking about cracks in Israel and America.

 

Who should I believe??????

 

Let me Google it in English........oh wait

[Evil Penevil]

Possibly the U.S. fears chaos in Iran and a massive wave of terrorism if the top political leadership is eliminated.   The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is obsessed with martyrdom.  They really want to meet those 72 virgins!

 

Trump vetoed Israeli plan to kill Iran's supreme leader, US officials say

WASHINGTON, June 15 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump vetoed an Israeli plan in recent days to kill Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, two U.S. officials told Reuters on Sunday.

https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/trump-vetoed-an-israeli-plan-kill-irans-supreme-leader-us-officials-say-2025-06-15/

[Mike_Hunt]

2 hours ago, Tug said:

I think that’s nonsense. I will say this though.personally I think the nuclear agreement should have been honored it was a blunder to kill it.we wouldn’t be in this position now.keep in mind the mullas we’re on shaky ground before and with the threat of sanctions they would have behaved or the people would have ripped them to shreds.now their arch enemy Israel is bombing them that kinda tends to unify a nation Ukraine is a fine example of that.do not conflate what i wrote as supporting Iran I DO NOT!I just think the other method would have had a better chance of success.

Stupid Obama should have made it a treaty ratified by the Senate.  This is the death knell into Obama's failed ME foreign policy.  

[thaipo7]

2 hours ago, Tug said:

I think that’s nonsense. I will say this though.personally I think the nuclear agreement should have been honored it was a blunder to kill it.we wouldn’t be in this position now.keep in mind the mullas we’re on shaky ground before and with the threat of sanctions they would have behaved or the people would have ripped them to shreds.now their arch enemy Israel is bombing them that kinda tends to unify a nation Ukraine is a fine example of that.do not conflate what i wrote as supporting Iran I DO NOT!I just think the other method would have had a better chance of success.

You are just not bright at all.  Why would we honor a dumb ass agreement by Obama, that was never signed, Iran cheated on over and over.  Why would you want a country that makes it clear that they want "Death to America" to produce nuclear bombs.  When God said to go get your brains, you probably thought he said trains and ran away.  I feel a little sorry for you.

[spidermike007]

1 hour ago, Evil Penevil said:

Possibly the U.S. fears chaos in Iran and a massive wave of terrorism if the top political leadership is eliminated.   The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is obsessed with martyrdom.  They really want to meet those 72 virgins!

 

Trump vetoed Israeli plan to kill Iran's supreme leader, US officials say

WASHINGTON, June 15 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump vetoed an Israeli plan in recent days to kill Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, two U.S. officials told Reuters on Sunday.

https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/trump-vetoed-an-israeli-plan-kill-irans-supreme-leader-us-officials-say-2025-06-15/

Even one virgin is not only over rated, but a real pain in the butt. One can only imagine 72 of them. No thanks. A total fantasy based on nothing but fake purity, medieval ridiculousness, and complete and total ignorance. 

 

Down with Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. He is a power hungry, serial killing freak, who claims to be a man of God. What a buffoon. 

[tomazbodner]

10 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Even one virgin is not only over rated, but a real pain in the butt. One can only imagine 72 of them. No thanks. A total fantasy based on nothing but fake purity, medieval ridiculousness, and complete and total ignorance. 

 

Down with Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. He is a power hungry, serial killing freak, who claims to be a man of God. What a buffoon. 

Careful there. You might get fatwa on yourself and get to be known as one eyed Mike.

[FlorC]

Another regime change . They did it in Libya , Syria , Iraq , failed grossly in Afganistan and now trying Iran.

[rabas]

Massive flotilla of 21 in air refueling tankers leaving the US heading over the Atlantic.  Another US aircraft carrier is now rounding Singapore on its way to CENTCOM aka Middle East.  Looks like regime change may be on the menu.  That could end Russia's 50 year strategic ME presence. More news, reports suggest Tehran's Chief of Police Ahmadreza Radan has been assassinated. He is responsible for crushing Iranian uprisings and carrying out massacres. [REF]

 

[newbee2022]

3 hours ago, jimmybcool said:

I wonder if Vegas is taking bets.  My money says this time the people of Iran throw off the islamic regime and start acting like a responsible nation.  Elimination of the mullahs, a willingness to completely disarm and the world would be happy to buy their oil to help them rebuild a prosperous society.  

An Islamic Nation can't be a responsible prosperous nation??? Strange view.👎

[Patong2021]

4 hours ago, Tug said:

I think that’s nonsense. I will say this though.personally I think the nuclear agreement should have been honored it was a blunder to kill it.we wouldn’t be in this position now.keep in mind the mullas we’re on shaky ground before and with the threat of sanctions they would have behaved or the people would have ripped them to shreds.now their arch enemy Israel is bombing them that kinda tends to unify a nation Ukraine is a fine example of that.do not conflate what i wrote as supporting Iran I DO NOT!I just think the other method would have had a better chance of success.

 

The USA lived up to its obligations in the nuclear treaty. Iran did not and it was processing uranium all along and working to create   long range missiles that could deliver nuclear weapon payloads.

 

1 hour ago, Mike_Hunt said:

Stupid Obama should have made it a treaty ratified by the Senate.  This is the death knell into Obama's failed ME foreign policy.  

 

The agreement could not have been made into a treaty because the agreement  did not have the foundation nor characteristics of a treaty. There was little support for the agreement in the  Senate.  Don't you remember the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015? The Bill gave Congress the right to review any agreement reached with Iran. The bill passed in the Senate by a 98–1 vote and was therefore veto proof.  It passed in the House by a vote of 400–25. The agreement with Iran was the best that the  international community was going to get.

[Patong2021]

The airspace over Syria, Iran and Iraq  is closed and yet   Cargolux CLX9877  a B747 freighter has been flying from Shanghai to Luxembourg, and is  the only aircraft currently flying over Iran now, and is near Tehran.  Curious. I have been watching its route. How it obtained flight clearance, let alone has not been shot done  is a mystery.

[saintdomingo]

Are the Israeli drones still flying.?

[daveAustin]

1 hour ago, FlorC said:

Another regime change . They did it in Libya , Syria , Iraq , failed grossly in Afganistan and now trying Iran.

Iran is a different prospect to all those Mickey ‘Mow’ countries. Quality place with big history and great people and was the spot to be in the 70s by all accounts, only to be ruined by a bunch of tyrannical religious headbangers. This article is heartwarming. The place should ideally be sorted from the inside out. Israel giving them a proper spanking is the less than ideal option. All the bluster from them though—we will make Israel, US, UK, France pay with our military might yada yada yada—is total bs. They are as weak as p*ss. It just can’t be protracted… Europe can’t handle another 10M refugees!

[Watawattana]

2 hours ago, Evil Penevil said:

They really want to meet those 72 virgins!

Send them to Dundee - there is enough for one of them, let alone all of them!

[Watawattana]

4 minutes ago, daveAustin said:

Quality place with big history and great people and was the spot to be in the 70s by all accounts

For one reason or another I've met quite a few Iranians in my time, from college in the 80's through to this year.  Each and every one of them have been thoroughly decent human beings, completely normal.  The guy I most recently met told me he hated Israel, but he hated the Iranian leadership even more for what it's done to his country.

[daveAustin]

1 hour ago, spidermike007 said:

Even one virgin is not only over rated, but a real pain in the butt. One can only imagine 72 of them. No thanks. A total fantasy based on nothing but fake purity, medieval ridiculousness, and complete and total ignorance. 

 

Down with Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. He is a power hungry, serial killing freak, who claims to be a man of God. What a buffoon. 

Far be it from me to cast aspersions on your sexual persuasion 😋, but I totally agree. Religio-purity angle and devious minds aside, the virgin concept is a proper fallacy. From my perspective at least, if the receiver is not enjoying it, it is a big turn-off. Those guys with their 72 thing are so lost. 

 

Khamenei; yep. One of those special people—like our Korean friend, Wrong-Un—that is in dire need of meeting his maker. 

[Homburg]

Hey Khamenei,

 

Did your mom not tell you that it's a mistake to believe your own propaganda?

 

This is maybe a good time to book your ticket to Moscow, but save a few $$$ and don't buy a return - you'd never use it anyway. 

 

A well-wisher.

[AustinRacing]

4 hours ago, daveAustin said:

Far be it from me to cast aspersions on your sexual persuasion 😋, but I totally agree. Religio-purity angle and devious minds aside, the virgin concept is a proper fallacy. From my perspective at least, if the receiver is not enjoying it, it is a big turn-off. Those guys with their 72 thing are so lost. 

 

Khamenei; yep. One of those special people—like our Korean friend, Wrong-Un—that is in dire need of meeting his maker. 

The 72 virgins come with a box or accessories that include performance enhancing pills, sex toys etc. This to ensure all 72 are kept satisfied. Or maybe the receiver must demonstrate his ability to manage the situation. Failure to do so results in gradual reduction from 72 down to whatever he can manage. I’m sure this will be explained at the gates. 

[GarryP]

5 hours ago, newbee2022 said:

An Islamic Nation can't be a responsible prosperous nation??? Strange view.👎

Extremist Islamic nation is highly unlikely to be successful, especially when many of its own people hate the regime.  

[newbee2022]

39 minutes ago, GarryP said:

Extremist Islamic nation is highly unlikely to be successful, especially when many of its own people hate the regime.  

Yes, I agree

[jimmybcool]

3 hours ago, GarryP said:

Extremist Islamic nation is highly unlikely to be successful, especially when many of its own people hate the regime.  

 

Weird how he took what I wrote and came to that conclusion.  But then the internet is full of people who view the world in odd ways.  

[stevenl]

13 hours ago, Tug said:

That would be wonderful it truly would im afraid it’s magical thinking tho.Il be absolutely delighted to be wrong tho!!

Agreed, sounds like wishful thinking.

[Evil Penevil]

I've seen  complaints in the mainstream  media as well as AN because Israel doesn't allow international journalists free access to the Gaza war zone.   Iran also bans journalists but doesn't come in for similar complaints.

 

The Ayatollahs are tottering. Only the BBC hasn’t noticed

In the case of Iran, the BBC reminds audiences that it is not allowed there, but does not criticise Iran for this. Instead, it concentrates on reporting from Israel, where it tries to make as much of the war damage as possible.  

This leads to a severe imbalance of reporting and analysis.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/the-ayatollahs-are-tottering-only-the-bbc-hasn-t-noticed/ar-AA1GNNwX?ocid=winp2fptaskbarhover&cvid=b4dfdc1a647045d784f88aa051dcd1ce&ei=78

[Sigmund]

Corrupt regimes on both sides of the wall. In between, innocent civilians murdered. What would be a good start is a drastic regime change both in Iran and Israel.