Despite massive US attack and death of ayatollah, regime change in Iran is unlikely

President Trump has appealed to Iranians to topple their government, but a popular uprising is unlikely to defeat current leadership or the Revolutionary Guards, a former US diplomat says.

By: Donald Heflin, Tufts University, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: February 28, 2026

Words: 1,380

Last Updated: 1 week, 3 days ago

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By Donald Heflin, Tufts University

After the largest buildup of U.S. warships and aircraft in the Middle East in decades, American and Israeli military forces launched a massive assault on Iran on Feb. 28, 2026.

President Donald Trump has called the attacks “major combat operations” and has urged regime change in Tehran. Iranian media reported Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the strikes.

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