U.S. Ends War with Iran After Assassinations and IRGC-Backed Leadership Shift

The United States ended its war with Iran after American and Israeli actions killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and his top deputies, leading to the installation of new leaders in Tehran. Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the slain Ali Khamenei, became the new supreme leader, likely placed in power by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

The entire family of Mojtaba Khamenei was killed in the actions, according to @ForeignAffairs reported.

President Donald Trump announced on February 28, 2026, that the United States was at war with Iran. By mid-April 2026, Trump suggested that the killings had achieved a form of regime change. The actions targeted Khamenei and his deputies, resulting in a shift to IRGC-backed figures.

Ahmad Vahidi emerged as the new head of the IRGC. Vahidi was previously responsible for the IRGC Quds Force. He is suspected of planning the AMIA Jewish community center bombing in Buenos Aires in 1994 that killed 85 people.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is a former IRGC soldier. Supreme National Security Council Secretary Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf is also a former IRGC soldier. These figures represent continuity in Iran's hard-line stance, with @ForeignAffairs reporting that the new leaders are longtime regime loyalists determined to strengthen the Islamic Republic.

U.S. administration officials clarified the war's objectives. U.S. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian declared on March 7, 2026, that Iran would stop attacking Gulf Arab states. However, @ForeignAffairs reported that Pezeshkian was quickly overridden by IRGC commanders, highlighting the corps' dominance.

The report noted that Iran's new leaders have inherited economic challenges, including protests over repression and mismanagement. @ForeignAffairs detailed that millions of Iranians protested the economy and public services three months prior to the report's April 28, 2026, publication.

The regime has used the war to rally support, but underlying issues like corruption and resource shortages persist.

The IRGC-controlled Khatam al-Anibya holds a monopoly over construction, likely to gain more power in rebuilding efforts. U.S. should pursue modest arrangements to maintain the cease-fire and open the Strait of Hormuz while keeping pressure on Iran.

It argued against comprehensive sanctions relief, which could empower the IRGC and relieve popular pressure on the regime. Iran proposed a ten-point plan, and Trump offered a 15-point one, both including broad relief. @ForeignAffairs emphasized that Iran's new leaders remain repressive and aggressive, continuing threats to quell protests and resume attacks if the cease-fire fails.

S. , Israeli, and Gulf targets. Verification challenges persist, given the collapse of international inspections. Historical context from @ForeignAffairs includes the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, which provided targeted relief without empowering the IRGC.

Trump's 2018 withdrawal imposed sweeping sanctions, boosting the IRGC's role in evasion. The report noted Iran's pivot away from reforms, increasing the corps' power. Protests in Iran have grown over five years, driven by economic pressures under sanctions.

@ForeignAffairs reported that the war reduced elite fragmentation, consolidating IRGC control. Iranian officials stressed normalcy in services during the cease-fire, indicating eagerness for a settlement. The report warned that rebuilding priorities would favor military over social services, potentially sparking more unrest.

Iran's leaders face a 'guns or butter' dilemma, likely choosing the former. Public statements from Tehran promise force against protests and attacks on regional states if needed. @ForeignAffairs advocated setting a high bar for sanctions relief to ensure the IRGC does not benefit primarily.

This approach aims to allow internal pressures to sideline the corps, giving Iranians a chance to control their destiny. U.S. administrations handling Iran policy.