Insiders: There is a significant vacancy in Khamenei's inner circle, increasing the risk of strategic misjudgment.

On June 17, Iran’s 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is becoming more and more lonely. According to five people familiar with his decision-making process, Khamenei’s main military and security adviser was killed in Israeli airstrikes, which led to a major void in his inner circle and increased the risk of strategic mistakes. One of the sources, who regularly attends meetings with Khamenei, said the risk of Iran’s miscalculation on defense and internal stability issues was “extremely significant and dangerous.” Mojtaba, the son of Khamenei, is considered an increasingly important central figure. Some insiders believe that Mojattab is a potential successor to his elderly father, as his close ties to the security forces have given him greater influence in Iran’s political and security system.