US officials sceptical of Iran regime change after Khamenei killing, sources say

South China Morning Post National SecurityNews ReportEN 1 min read 100% complete by ReutersMarch 2, 2026 at 10:25 AM

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Following the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, US officials are reportedly skeptical that a regime change in Iran is likely in the near future. Despite President Trump's call for Iranian patriots to "take back" their country, three US officials familiar with intelligence suggest that Iran's opposition is unlikely to topple the current theocratic government. While not completely ruling out the possibility due to ongoing US and Israeli air strikes and internal unrest, officials consider a near-term regime change improbable. The Iranian President, along with other officials, have temporarily assumed the duties of the supreme leader. The US and Israeli operation aimed to cripple Iran's ballistic missile and nuclear programs, with some US officials suggesting toppling the government as a goal.

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Key Claims (5)

AI-Extracted

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i and Alireza Arafi have temporarily assumed the duties of supreme leader.

factual — Reuters100% confidence

"I call upon all Iranian patriots who yearn for freedom to seize this moment ... and take back your country,”

quote — Donald Trump100% confidence

US officials remain sceptical that the US and Israeli military operation against Iran would lead to a regime change in the near term.

factual — US officials90% confidence

Iran's government is buffeted by key personnel losses from ongoing US and Israeli air strikes.

factual — null80% confidence

Toppling Iran’s governing system was one of several US goals, in addition to crippling Iran’s ballistic missile and nuclear programmes.

factual — US officials, including US President Donald Trump80% confidence

Claims are automatically extracted and should be independently verified. Attribution indicates the stated source of the claim.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje'i 50% Masoud Pezeshkian 50% Alireza Arafi 50% Islamic Republic 60% Israel ×270% Donald Trump ×270% United States ×780% Ayatollah Ali Khamenei 90% Iran ×690%

Keywords

iran 100% regime change 90% us officials 80% ali khamenei 70% israeli military operation 60% us military operation 60% nuclear program 50% ballistic missile program 50% authoritarian governing system 40%