Cessation of hostilities or not, the reorganization of the Middle East is far from complete.

Expectations – hopes – that the assassination of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, during the initial phase of airstrikes would trigger the regime’s downfall were grossly erroneous. His son Mojtaba has remained out of sight since being named as his heir. There are rumors suggesting he sustained severe injuries in the assault that claimed the lives of his parents, as well as reportedly his sister, wife, and one of his children. Regardless of the direct involvement of the new supreme leader, Iran’s regime has shown a remarkable resilience that caught Trump off guard.