The political scientist announced the consolidation of Iranians around the government after the attacks by the United States and Israel

The United States and Israel expected that after the first strikes on Iran, unrest would begin in the country, but this did not happen. This opinion was expressed on March 1 by Andrei Kortunov, a political scientist and scientific director of the Russian Council on International Affairs, in an interview with Izvestia.

"Apparently, the expectation was that after the first strikes, unrest would begin in Iran. Perhaps the political opposition will raise its head. The authorities will not be able to keep the situation under control. <...> But so far we see that this is not happening. On the contrary, there is rather a consolidation of Iranian society around the government against the background of aggression by the United States and Israel," the expert noted.

According to Kortunov, the Americans and Israelis also assumed that the removal of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei would be a decisive blow to Iran's political system.

"I do not think that the assassination of the supreme leader will lead to the collapse of the Iranian statehood, some kind of upheaval. Of course, power will be in the hands of secular leaders," Kortunov added.

The political scientist stressed that Iran is a theological republic where religion plays a huge role, and Khamenei's position reflected the views of a significant part of the leadership, the political elite and the military. At the same time, the country provided for the possibility of political transit in the event of the departure of the leader.

According to Kortunov, the removal of even such a significant figure as Khamenei will not lead to radical changes in Iran's position on regional and global issues.

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The State Television of Iran (IRIB) confirmed the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on February 28. According to the press service of the Islamic Republic Guard Corps (IRGC), the supreme leader of Iran was assassinated early on Saturday morning, February 28.

On February 28, the United States announced the start of a large-scale military operation with Israel against Iran. The Israeli and American military attacked the republic, including a school in the city of Minab. According to the latest data, 148 children died as a result of the attack.

In response, Tehran has fired missiles and drones at American military bases located in the Middle East. Explosions also occurred in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.