By Denisa Ballová

 

PRAGUE, 13 March. - (ANA) - The election of Mojtaba Khamenei as the new ayatollah of Iran signifies a hardline approach, strengthened Revolutionary Guards, and the risk of civil war in Iran, says Iranist Lenka Hrabalová from the Prague-based Association for International Affairs.

 

However, according to her, the election of the assassinated ayatollah’s son confirms the dynastisation of the regime and puts the Islamic Republic in contradiction with itself.

 

“There is an alarming abundance of negative scenarios, and I realistically do not see any positive ones,” she explains.

 

When the regime was established in 1979, it very sharply defined itself against everything that existed under the Shah’s rule. The criticism did not solely concern relations with the United States or Israel, but also the monarchist method of governance itself. 

 

According to its founders, the new system was supposed to be different – the supreme leader was to be selected based on his religious knowledge, education in Shia Islam, authority among the clergy, and the support of the believers.

 

In the current situation – amid the bombardment and the ongoing transition – in my view, no mass protests against the new leader can be expected. Likewise, it is difficult to predict what will happen in the coming months. As long as he is not killed by the Americans or Israel, it can be expected that he will remain in his post, because in this situation, Iranians will not realistically muster the strength for protests against him.  - (ANA) - 

 

AB/ANA/13 March 2026 - - -